Bible Compass
Log inGet started
Back to the chapter

1 Samuel 22:15

Integrity

13 And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.”

14 Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard who is honored in your house?

Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of my father’s household, for your servant knew nothing of this whole affair—not in part or in whole.”

16 But the king replied, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!”

17 Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD.

Read the whole chapter

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of my father’s household, for your servant knew nothing of this whole affair—not in part or in whole.”
KJV
Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
WEB
Have I today begun to inquire of God for him? Be it far from me! Don’t let the king impute anything to his servant, nor to all the house of my father; for your servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.”
ASV
Have I to-day begun to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute anything unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father; for thy servant knoweth nothing of all this, less or more.
DARBY
Was it to-day that I began to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king charge anything to his servant, [nor] to all the house of my father; for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
BLB
Today did I begin to inquire for him of God? Far be it from me! Let not the king impute anything to his servant, [or] to any in the house of my father. For your servant knew nothing of all this matter, small or great.”
ÅB
Den dag var det da ikke første gang jeg adspurte Gud for ham. Det være langt fra meg å gjøre slikt! Kongen må ikke legge sin tjener eller hele min fars hus noe til last! For din tjener har ikke visst det minste grand om alt dette.
OTB
Var det bare i dag jeg begynte å søke råd fra Gud for ham? Slett ikke! La ikke kongen anklage din tjener eller noen i min fars hus, for din tjener vet ingenting om hele denne saken."
B1930
Den dag var det da ikke første gang jeg adspurte Gud for ham. Det være langt fra mig å gjøre sådant! Kongen må ikke legge sin tjener eller hele min fars hus noget til last! For din tjener har ikke visst det minste grand om alt dette.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Peter 3:16–17

    keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 25:36

    When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 20:5–6

    Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands.”

    Read in context

  • 2 Corinthians 1:12

    And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 15:11

    Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter.

    Read in context