1 Samuel 22:18

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

فَأمَرَ المَلِكُ دُواغَ فَقَالَ لَهُ: «تَحَرَّكْ أنْتَ وَاقتُلِ الكَهَنَةَ وَاحِدًا وَاحِدًا.» فَقَتَلَ دُواغُ الأدُومِيُّ الكَهَنَةَ وَاحِدًا وَاحِدًا. فَكَانَ مَجْمُوعُ الَّذِينَ قَتَلَهُمْ خَمْسَةً وَثَمَانِينَ كَاهنًا.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, King Saul orders Doeg to attack and kill the priests who are wearing linen ephods, a type of ceremonial garment. Doeg follows the command and kills eighty-five priests. The key message is about the consequences of obeying unjust orders.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing a game, and your friend tells you to take away someone's toy just because they can. In this story, the king tells Doeg to hurt the priests, and Doeg does it, even though it wasn't right. It's like when you listen to someone who isn't being nice and end up doing something wrong.

Historical Background

The book of 1 Samuel was written by Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, and it covers the history of the Israelites from the birth of Samuel to the death of King Saul. This event took place during King Saul's reign, when he was suspicious of the priests. The cultural setting was one where loyalty to the king was paramount, but this verse highlights the moral conflict of obeying unjust orders.

Living It Out Today

Imagine if your boss at work asks you to do something unethical. This verse reminds us of the importance of standing up for what is right and not following orders that go against our moral values. It’s a reminder that we have a choice and should choose wisely.

Topics

• obedience
• loyalty
• morality
• consequences
• authority
• ethics

Related Verses

• Genesis 4:8-12
• 1 Kings 2:28-34
• Matthew 26:47-50
• Acts 5:27-29
• Romans 13:1-7

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did King Saul order Doeg to attack the priests?

King Saul was suspicious of the priests and believed they were not loyal to him, so he ordered Doeg to attack them as a form of punishment and to eliminate potential threats.

What does 'linen ephod' refer to in this verse?

The 'linen ephod' is a special garment worn by priests during their service. It symbolizes their role and position in the religious ceremonies of that time.

What can we learn from Doeg's actions in this verse?

Doeg's actions remind us of the importance of discerning right from wrong and not obeying orders that are unjust or unethical, even if they come from someone in authority.

How does this verse relate to the broader theme of obedience?

This verse highlights the complex nature of obedience, showing that true obedience must be balanced with moral judgment, and sometimes refusing to obey can be the right choice.