This verse shows how King Saul’s growing mistrust blinds him to God’s purposes and leads him to see enemies where there are none.
Then Saul said to him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he would rise up against me by lying in ambush as it is this day?” (v.13)
In this passage, King Saul confronts Ahimelech the priest for supposedly helping David—referred to here as “the son of Jesse.” Saul accuses the priest of giving David provisions and inquiring of the LORD on his behalf, believing this act to be a conspiracy against his own rule. By calling David “the son of Jesse,” Saul underscores his scorn, refusing to address David by name and highlighting that he never forgot the young man’s humble lineage. Indeed, Saul frequently calls David “the son of Jesse” in this period when he views him as a threat (1 Samuel 20:30, 1 Samuel 22:13).
At this point in Israel’s history (around 1010 BC), Saul has been king for decades, having first been chosen at the people’s demand for a human ruler (1 Samuel 8:19-22). However, his increasing jealousy toward David—whom God intended to succeed him—drives him to extreme paranoia. David, anointed by Samuel to be the next king (1 Samuel 16:1), finds himself fleeing from Saul’s hostile pursuit. Fueled by this envy, Saul interprets any kindness shown to David as treason. In this verse, his suspicion of a coordinated attempt to overthrow him leads him to accuse the priest of enabling David’s supposed “ambush.”
In a broader biblical sense, Saul’s suspicion echoes how jealous authorities sometimes seek to stamp out God’s chosen figures. In the New Testament, the religious leaders showed a similar paranoia and envy toward Jesus, accusing Him before Roman authorities of threatening Caesar’s power (Luke 23:2). Much like David, who trusted God through his tribulations, Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father’s plan (1 Peter 2:23). Both foreshadow how God’s providence prevails despite human schemes.
Set to dark mode
1 Samuel 22:13 meaning
Then Saul said to him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me, in that you have given him bread and a sword and have inquired of God for him, so that he would rise up against me by lying in ambush as it is this day?” (v.13)
In this passage, King Saul confronts Ahimelech the priest for supposedly helping David—referred to here as “the son of Jesse.” Saul accuses the priest of giving David provisions and inquiring of the LORD on his behalf, believing this act to be a conspiracy against his own rule. By calling David “the son of Jesse,” Saul underscores his scorn, refusing to address David by name and highlighting that he never forgot the young man’s humble lineage. Indeed, Saul frequently calls David “the son of Jesse” in this period when he views him as a threat (1 Samuel 20:30, 1 Samuel 22:13).
At this point in Israel’s history (around 1010 BC), Saul has been king for decades, having first been chosen at the people’s demand for a human ruler (1 Samuel 8:19-22). However, his increasing jealousy toward David—whom God intended to succeed him—drives him to extreme paranoia. David, anointed by Samuel to be the next king (1 Samuel 16:1), finds himself fleeing from Saul’s hostile pursuit. Fueled by this envy, Saul interprets any kindness shown to David as treason. In this verse, his suspicion of a coordinated attempt to overthrow him leads him to accuse the priest of enabling David’s supposed “ambush.”
In a broader biblical sense, Saul’s suspicion echoes how jealous authorities sometimes seek to stamp out God’s chosen figures. In the New Testament, the religious leaders showed a similar paranoia and envy toward Jesus, accusing Him before Roman authorities of threatening Caesar’s power (Luke 23:2). Much like David, who trusted God through his tribulations, Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father’s plan (1 Peter 2:23). Both foreshadow how God’s providence prevails despite human schemes.