◄ 1 Samuel 22:12 ►
"Listen now, son of Ahitub," said Saul. "Here I am, my lord," he replied.
Study Bible
Listen now, son of Ahitub,
This phrase is spoken by King Saul, addressing Ahimelech, the high priest, who is the son of Ahitub. The context is a tense confrontation, as Saul is accusing Ahimelech of conspiring with David. The title "son of Ahitub" emphasizes Ahimelech's priestly lineage, tracing back to Eli, the priest of Shiloh. This lineage is significant in the history of Israel's priesthood, highlighting the continuity and authority of the Levitical line. Saul's command to "listen" indicates the seriousness of the accusation and the authority he holds as king.

said Saul.
Saul, the first king of Israel, is depicted here in a state of paranoia and fear, driven by his jealousy of David. This moment is part of Saul's tragic decline, as he increasingly turns away from God's guidance. Saul's actions against Ahimelech and the priests of Nob reflect his desperation and moral decay. Historically, Saul's reign began with promise but deteriorated due to his disobedience to God, as seen in earlier chapters of 1 Samuel.

Here I am, my lord,
Ahimelech's response is one of respect and submission, using the term "my lord" to acknowledge Saul's authority as king. This phrase reflects the cultural norms of addressing royalty and authority figures with deference. Ahimelech's willingness to present himself before Saul suggests his innocence and transparency, as he is unaware of any wrongdoing. This interaction foreshadows the tragic events that follow, where Ahimelech and the priests are unjustly accused and punished.

he replied.
Ahimelech's reply is straightforward, indicating his readiness to answer Saul's questions. This moment highlights the tension between Saul's authority and the priestly role of Ahimelech. The narrative sets the stage for the unfolding drama, where the conflict between Saul and David impacts not only the royal court but also the religious leaders of Israel. This interaction underscores the broader theme of God's sovereignty and justice, as Saul's actions ultimately lead to his downfall and the rise of David, a man after God's own heart.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul
The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. At this point in the account, Saul is increasingly paranoid and sees David as a threat to his throne.

2. Ahimelech
The son of Ahitub, a priest in Nob. He is summoned by Saul in this passage, as Saul suspects him of conspiring with David.

3. Nob
A city of priests, where Ahimelech serves. It becomes a significant location as Saul accuses the priests of aiding David.

4. David
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, David is central to the surrounding account. He is on the run from Saul, who perceives him as a rival.

5. Ahitub
The father of Ahimelech, mentioned here to identify Ahimelech's lineage and priestly heritage.
Teaching Points
The Dangers of Paranoia and Distrust
Saul's inability to trust those around him leads to destructive decisions. We must guard against allowing fear and suspicion to cloud our judgment.

The Role of Priests and Prophets
Ahimelech's role as a priest highlights the importance of spiritual leaders in guiding and supporting God's people, even in times of political turmoil.

God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Failings
Despite Saul's failings, God's plan for David and Israel continues. This reminds us that God's purposes prevail even when human leaders falter.

The Importance of Listening to Godly Counsel
Saul's failure to heed wise counsel leads to tragic outcomes. We should seek and listen to godly advice in our decision-making.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Saul's interaction with Ahimelech reflect his state of mind and leadership at this point in his reign?

2. In what ways can we see the consequences of Saul's distrust and paranoia in our own lives or in the world today?

3. How does the role of Ahimelech as a priest inform our understanding of spiritual leadership and responsibility?

4. What lessons can we learn from the way David handles his relationship with Saul and the priests at Nob?

5. How can we apply the principle of seeking godly counsel in our daily decisions, and what scriptures support this practice?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 21
Provides context for Saul's suspicion, as David had visited Ahimelech in Nob seeking help.

Psalm 52
Written by David concerning the events at Nob, reflecting on the betrayal and the consequences of Saul's actions.

Matthew 12:1-8
Jesus references David's actions at Nob, highlighting the importance of mercy over ritual law.
Sermons
A Friend and a FoeR. E. Faulkner.1 Samuel 22:5-23
The Tyranny of SaulB. Dale 1 Samuel 22:6-19
People
Abiathar, Ahimelech, Ahitub, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Benjamites, David, Doeg, Gad, Goliath, Jesse, Saul
Places
Adullam, Gibeah, Hereth, Mizpeh, Moab, Nob
Topics
Ahitub, Ahi'tub, Answering, Ear, Listen, O, Saul, Yes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 22:10

     8648   enquiring of God

1 Samuel 22:9-10

     8421   equipping, physical

Library
Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Exile Continued.
"So David fled, and escaped and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done unto him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth" (1 Sam. xix. 18)--or, as the word probably means, in the collection of students' dwellings, inhabited by the sons of the prophets, where possibly there may have been some kind of right of sanctuary. Driven thence by Saul's following him, and having had one last sorrowful hour of Jonathan's companionship--the last but one on earth--he fled to Nob, whither …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

The Exile --Continued.
We have one psalm which the title connects with the beginning of David's stay at Adullam,--the thirty-fourth. The supposition that it dates from that period throws great force into many parts of it, and gives a unity to what is else apparently fragmentary and disconnected. Unlike those already considered, which were pure soliloquies, this is full of exhortation and counsel, as would naturally be the case if it were written when friends and followers began to gather to his standard. It reads like …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Ramah. Ramathaim Zophim. Gibeah.
There was a certain Ramah, in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25, and that within sight of Jerusalem, as it seems, Judges 19:13; where it is named with Gibeah:--and elsewhere, Hosea 5:8; which towns were not much distant. See 1 Samuel 22:6; "Saul sat in Gibeah, under a grove in Ramah." Here the Gemarists trifle: "Whence is it (say they) that Ramah is placed near Gibea? To hint to you, that the speech of Samuel of Ramah was the cause, why Saul remained two years and a half in Gibeah." They blindly …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical …
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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