1 Samuel 23:21

1Sa 23:21 And Saul said, Blessed [be] ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

Ver. 21. Blessed be ye of the Lord.] God was much in this hypocrite’s mouth, but far from his reins: {Jer 12:3} he abuseth that majestic and tremendous name of his, to palliate his cruel purpose of killing David. See the like done by those impudent hypocrites in Isa 66:5. But this blessing pronounced by Saul upon the Ziphites was not worth a button to them: nay, it came doubtless as a curse into their bowels, {Psa 109:18} whilst thereby they were heartened and hardened in their sin.

For ye have compassion on me.] A flatterer is ευιους σφακτης, saith one; that is, a kind murderer: a cur-dog, saith another, that sucketh a man’s blood only with licking.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The Lord recompense this friendship.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

And Saul said, blessed be ye of the Lord,.... He highly commends them for the offer they made to him, blesses God for them, and desires the blessing of God upon them for it:

for ye have compassion on me; pitied him on account of the troubles he met with from his son-in-law, were sorry for him, and sympathized with him, which others did not, of which he complained, Sa1 22:8.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Whilst others harden their hearts against me, and join with David in his treasonable conspiracy, you show your pity to me by your readiness to help me.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Vers. 21-23. Ye have compassion on me. There is something pitiable in Saul"s answer. He had brooded over his rejection from being king, and the many indications that David was to be his successor, till he had become the prey of abject melancholy. He evidently regarded himself as a wronged and injured man, while David to his diseased imagination was ever conspiring against him and plotting his murder. With much prolixity he encourages them still to keep a close watch upon all David"s movements, so as to know his place where his haunt is. Literally, "his place where his foot will be," the place whither he goes for rest and refuge. The reason he gives for this long and close observation of David"s doings is that it is told him that he dealeth very subtilly. That is, according to Saul"s information, he behaved with the utmost prudence, ever keeping a careful look out against surprise, and using much skill to conceal his movements and to provide for his escape from danger. Finally, they are to return with the certainty with trustworthy and accurate information, and then Saul will gather his forces and search David out throughout all the thousands of Judah. These are the larger divisions of the territory of the tribe, (Num_1:16 Num_10:4) throughout which Saul will hunt for him till he has got him into his power.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For this treachery Saul blessed them: "Be blessed of the Lord, that ye have compassion upon me." In his evil conscience he suspected David of seeking to become his murderer, and therefore thanked God in his delusion that the Ziphites had had compassion upon him, and shown him David's hiding-place.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

May you be blessed by Yahweh

This can be translated in active form. AT: "I hope that Yahweh blesses you" (See: Active or Passive)

you have had compassion on me

The abstract noun "compassion" can be translated with the adjective "kind." Saul says this because they had told him about David and they were willing to help Saul capture David. AT: "you have been kind to me" or "you have kindly told this to me" (See: Abstract Nouns)

Learn and find out

These two words mean almost the same thing and can be translated as one phrase. AT: "Know for sure" (See: Doublet)

who has seen him

"who saw him"

It is told to me

This can be translated in active form. AT: "People tell me" or "I have heard" (See: Active or Passive)

among all the thousands of Judah

This is an idiom. AT: "even if I have to arrest every man in Judah" or "among all the clans of Judah" (See: Idiom)

translationWords

Saul (OT)

bless

Yahweh

compassion

Judah

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.