What Does 1 Samuel 14:9 Mean in the King James?
If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew makes waiting a chosen position: they hold their ground until the answer tells them whether to ascend.
THE MEANING
When the way forward is uncertain, this verse makes room for a pause: one response keeps you where you are, while another opens the ascent. The next movement is not imagined in advance; it becomes clear through what answers you.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that a pause is always hesitation: here, holding position is a deliberate response to what is said.
THE ROOT
דֹּמּוּ
dōmmû
GROWS FROM
דמם
damam
Be still or silent; cease.
The root holds stillness and silence together, so “tarry” carries more than the passage of time: it is a deliberate quieting. The stillness is chosen while they wait for the answer that will determine their next movement.
ALSO GROWS
dumiyyah: Silence; quiet waiting.
דּוּמִיָּה
Psalm 62:1 uses this related form for the soul’s quiet waiting, echoing the pause held here.
demamah: Silence; stillness.
דְּמָמָה
In 1 Kings 19:12, this word describes a quiet sound, showing the root’s link between stillness and silence.
וְעָמַדְנוּ
ve’amadnu
GROWS FROM
עמד
amad
Stand, remain, take one’s position.
“stand” in this verse is ve’amadnu. The same root can describe taking a stance and a pillar, giving this pause the feel of a position held in place. Paired with “not go up,” it marks a clear boundary between remaining and ascending.
ALSO GROWS
ma’amad: A position or station; standing.
מַעֲמָד
This branch makes the connection between standing and holding a particular place explicit.
ammud: A pillar or column.
עַמּוּד
A pillar is something that stands in place, echoing the firmness of the position described here.
THE PATTERN
Movement is measured by the signal received: a held position can be followed by decisive action when the way opens.
And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.THE THREAD
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.Psalm’s “Rest” translates דּוֹם (dom), from דמם (damam), meaning “be still” or “fall silent”, the same root as “Tarry” here. The shared root presents waiting as a held response, not an empty gap before movement.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us