Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Who are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? New Living Translation Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea? English Standard Version After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! Berean Standard Bible Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? King James Bible After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. New King James Version After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea? New American Standard Bible After whom has the king of Israel gone out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea? NASB 1995 “After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea? NASB 1977 “After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog, a single flea? Legacy Standard Bible After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog, after a single flea? Amplified Bible After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue [with three thousand men]? A dead dog, a single flea? Christian Standard Bible Who has the king of Israel come after? What are you chasing after? A dead dog? A single flea? Holman Christian Standard Bible Who has the king of Israel come after? What are you chasing after? A dead dog? A flea? American Standard Version After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. Contemporary English Version Why should the king of Israel be out chasing me, anyway? I'm as worthless as a dead dog or a flea. English Revised Version After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. GOD'S WORD® Translation Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? One flea? Good News Translation Look at what the king of Israel is trying to kill! Look at what he is chasing! A dead dog, a flea! International Standard Version After whom is the king of Israel going out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog or a single flea? Majority Standard Bible Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? NET Bible Who has the king of Israel come out after? Who is it that you are pursuing? A dead dog? A single flea? New Heart English Bible Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, or one flea? Webster's Bible Translation After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea? World English Bible Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAfter whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog! After one flea! Young's Literal Translation 'After whom hath the king of Israel come out? after whom art thou pursuing? -- after a dead dog! after one flea! Smith's Literal Translation After whom did the king of Israel come forth? after whom pursuest thou? after a dead dog? after one flea? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAfter whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog, after a flea. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible What is the king of Israel attacking? What are you pursuing? A dead dog! A single flea! New Revised Standard Version Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A single flea? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAfter whom have you come out, O king of Israel? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog, and after a flea? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated After whom have you come out, King of Israel, and after whom are you chasing, after a dead dog and after one flea? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. Brenton Septuagint Translation And now after whom dost thou come forth, O king of Israel? After whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dog, and after a flea? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Spares Saul…13As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you. 14Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.”… Cross References 1 Samuel 26:20 So do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to look for a flea, like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.” Ecclesiastes 9:4 There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion. Job 25:6 how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!” Psalm 22:6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. Isaiah 41:14 Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 66:24 “As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.” Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. Matthew 10:25 It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. / Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way. Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. Romans 12:19-21 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” / On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 1 Corinthians 4:13 when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Philippians 2:7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. Treasury of Scripture After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom do you pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea. the king 2 Samuel 6:20 Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! 1 Kings 21:7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. a dead dog 1 Samuel 17:43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 2 Samuel 3:8 Then was Abner very wroth for the words of Ishbosheth, and said, Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do shew kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to day with a fault concerning this woman? 2 Samuel 9:8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? a flea 1 Samuel 26:20 Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains. Judges 8:1-3 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply… Jump to Previous Dead Dog Insect Israel Pursue Pursuing Searching SingleJump to Next Dead Dog Insect Israel Pursue Pursuing Searching Single1 Samuel 24 1. David, in a cave at En Gedi, spares his life8. He shows thereby his innocence, 16. Saul, acknowledging his fault, takes an oath of David, and departs. Against whom has the king of Israel come out? This phrase highlights the irony and futility of King Saul's pursuit of David. Saul, the king of Israel, is using his resources and authority to chase a single man, David, who poses no real threat to him. This reflects Saul's irrational fear and jealousy, which have clouded his judgment. Historically, kings were expected to lead their people against significant threats, such as enemy nations, not to pursue individuals within their own nation. This question underscores the disproportionate response of Saul, who is acting out of personal vendetta rather than national interest. Theologically, it illustrates the theme of God's protection over His anointed, as David is the chosen successor to Saul. Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, who is currently being pursued by King Saul. In this chapter, David spares Saul's life in a cave at En Gedi. 2. Saul The first king of Israel, who is envious of David and seeks to kill him. Saul is unaware that David is in the same cave where he goes to relieve himself. 3. En Gedi A desert oasis near the Dead Sea, where David and his men are hiding from Saul. It is a place of refuge and strategic advantage for David. 4. The Cave The specific location within En Gedi where David and his men are hiding. It becomes the setting for David's act of mercy towards Saul. 5. David's Men Loyal followers of David who encourage him to kill Saul when the opportunity arises, but David chooses to show mercy instead. Teaching Points Humility and PerspectiveDavid refers to himself as a "dead dog" and a "flea," demonstrating humility. Recognize our own limitations and the greatness of God in our lives. Mercy Over Vengeance David's choice to spare Saul's life exemplifies the power of mercy over vengeance. We are called to show mercy, even when wronged. Trust in God's Justice David trusts that God will judge between him and Saul. We should rely on God's justice rather than seeking our own retribution. Leadership and Integrity David's restraint and respect for Saul's position as king show true leadership and integrity. Leaders should act with honor and respect for others. God's Sovereignty David's actions reflect his belief in God's sovereignty over his life and future. Trust in God's plan, even when circumstances are challenging.(14) After a dead dog, after a flea.--These homely but vivid similes are very common in Oriental discourse. David certainly, in his protestations of loyalty, could scarcely humble himself more than by drawing a comparison between the king of Israel in his grandeur and power and a poor dead dog--evidently an object held in special loathing by the Hebrews. "After a flea"--the original is even stronger, after "one flea" (a single flea)--"against a single flea," which is not easily caught, and easily escapes, and if it is caught, is poor game for a royal hunter.--Berl. Bible and Lange.Verses 14, 15. - Finally, David makes a pathetic appeal to Saul, contrasting him in his grandeur as the king of Israel with the fugitive whom he so relentlessly persecuted. In calling himself a dead dog he implies that he was at once despicable and powerless. Even more insignificant is a flea, Hebrew, "one flea," "a single flea." The point is lost by omitting the numeral. David means that it is unworthy of a king to go forth with 3000 men to hunt a single flea. As the king's conduct is thus both unjust and foolish, David therefore appeals to Jehovah to be judge and plead his cause, i.e. be his advocate, and state the proofs of his innocence. For deliver me out of thy hand, the Hebrew is, "will judge me out of thy hand," i.e. will judge me, and by doing so justly will deliver me from thy power. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Againstאַחֲרֵ֨י (’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition Strong's 310: The hind or following part whom מִ֤י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix has the king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc come out? יָצָא֙ (yā·ṣā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim Whom מִ֖י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix are you אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you pursuing? רֹדֵ֑ף (rō·ḏêp̄) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute A dead מֵ֔ת (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill dog? כֶּ֣לֶב (ke·leḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3611: A dog, a male prostitute A אֶחָֽד׃ (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first flea? פַּרְעֹ֥שׁ (par·‘ōš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6550: A flea Links 1 Samuel 24:14 NIV1 Samuel 24:14 NLT 1 Samuel 24:14 ESV 1 Samuel 24:14 NASB 1 Samuel 24:14 KJV 1 Samuel 24:14 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 24:14 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 24:14 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 24:14 French Bible 1 Samuel 24:14 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 24:14 After whom is the king of Israel (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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