◄ 1 Samuel 22:7 ►
Then Saul said to his servants, "Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?
Study Bible
Then Saul said to his servants,
This phrase sets the scene with King Saul addressing his inner circle, highlighting his authority and the hierarchical structure of his court. Saul's servants were likely his military and administrative officials, reflecting the centralized power typical of ancient Near Eastern monarchies. This moment occurs during a period of increasing paranoia and instability in Saul's reign, as he perceives threats to his kingship.

“Listen, men of Benjamin!
Saul's reference to the "men of Benjamin" underscores tribal loyalties, as Saul himself was from the tribe of Benjamin. This appeal to tribal identity suggests Saul's reliance on his kinsmen for support, reflecting the tribal dynamics of Israelite society. The Benjaminites were known for their warrior prowess, and Saul's kingship initially brought prestige to the tribe.

Is the son of Jesse
By referring to David as "the son of Jesse," Saul diminishes David's status, avoiding using his name and emphasizing his humble origins. This reflects Saul's growing jealousy and fear of David, who was gaining popularity and favor among the people and even within Saul's own household.

giving all of you fields and vineyards
Fields and vineyards symbolize wealth and prosperity in ancient Israel, representing the economic benefits that a king could bestow upon his followers. Saul's rhetorical question implies that David, unlike Saul, cannot offer such material rewards, attempting to undermine David's growing influence by highlighting his lack of resources.

and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?
This phrase refers to military leadership positions, which were highly coveted and signified honor and authority. Saul is questioning whether David can provide such prestigious roles, contrasting his own ability to reward loyalty with positions of power. This reflects the military organization of ancient Israel, where leaders were appointed over units of varying sizes, and also highlights Saul's fear of losing control over his army to David.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul
The first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, who later becomes increasingly paranoid and jealous of David.

2. Servants of Saul
These are the men who serve King Saul, likely including his military leaders and advisors.

3. Benjamites
Members of the tribe of Benjamin, Saul's own tribe, whom he addresses in this passage.

4. David (Son of Jesse)
The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, who is currently on the run from Saul.

5. Fields and Vineyards
Symbols of wealth and prosperity, which Saul uses to question the loyalty of his men.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Jealousy
Saul's jealousy of David leads him to irrational behavior and paranoia. Jealousy can cloud judgment and lead to destructive actions.

Misplaced Trust in Material Rewards
Saul attempts to secure loyalty through promises of wealth and power. True loyalty and leadership are not built on material incentives but on integrity and righteousness.

Tribal Loyalty vs. God's Anointing
Saul appeals to tribal loyalty, but God's anointing of David shows that divine purpose transcends human affiliations and biases.

The Cost of Leadership
Saul's question highlights the cost of leadership and the sacrifices leaders may demand. It challenges us to consider what we are willing to give or compromise for power and position.

God's Sovereignty in Leadership
Despite Saul's attempts to control and manipulate, God's plan for David's kingship prevails, reminding us of God's ultimate authority over human affairs.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Saul's appeal to the Benjamites reflect his insecurity and fear regarding David's rising influence?

2. In what ways do we see leaders today using material incentives to secure loyalty, and how does this compare to Saul's approach?

3. How can jealousy and fear impact our relationships and decision-making, and what biblical principles can help us overcome these emotions?

4. Reflect on a time when you faced a choice between loyalty to a person or group and following God's direction. How did you navigate that situation?

5. How does understanding God's sovereignty in leadership roles influence your perspective on current leaders and authorities in your life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 8:10-18
This passage describes Samuel's warning to Israel about the demands a king would place on them, including taking their fields and vineyards, which connects to Saul's offer of these as rewards.

1 Samuel 18:8-9
Saul's jealousy of David is evident here, as he becomes suspicious and fearful of David's rising popularity and success.

Matthew 6:24
This verse speaks to the impossibility of serving two masters, which relates to Saul's attempt to secure loyalty through material rewards.
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
Appoint, Benjamin, Benjaminites, Benjamites, Captains, Commanders, Ear, Fields, Heads, Hundreds, Jesse, Listen, O, Saul, Servants, Standing, Stood, Thousands, Vine-gardens, Vineyards
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 22:7

     1655   hundreds and thousands
     4538   vineyard

1 Samuel 22:6-8

     5817   conspiracies

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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