What Does 1 Samuel 30:7 Mean in the King James?

And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

1 Samuel 30:7 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The verse’s hidden action is drawing the means of inquiry near, and the same Hebrew verb echoes in the request and the response.

THE MEANING

Here, discernment begins by bringing what is needed for inquiry close, before a course is chosen. The repeated verb makes the request and its fulfillment one motion: nearness is asked for, then enacted.

THE ROOT

הַגִּישָׁה

hagishah

GROWS FROM

נגשׁ

n-g-sh

to draw near, approach

“bring me hither” in this verse is hagishah. The Hebrew verb is repeated when Abiathar brings the ephod to David: David asks for it to be drawn near, and Abiathar draws it near. The wording lets the request and response share the same motion, making nearness the verse’s central action.

ALSO GROWS

hagishah: Bring near; draw close.

הַגִּישָׁה

This is David’s imperative: he asks Abiathar to bring the ephod near to him.

wayyaggesh: And he brought near.

וַיַּגֵּשׁ

The same root answers the request in the next clause: Abiathar draws the ephod near to David.

THE PATTERN

Discernment begins by drawing near the means of inquiry before choosing a course.

And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

1 Samuel 23:9 · KJVDavid again brings the ephod near before seeking direction about what to do.

And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

Numbers 27:21 · KJVA course of action is sought through inquiry before the people go out or come in.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:5 · KJVWhen wisdom is lacking, asking comes before receiving direction.

THE THREAD

And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.

1 Samuel 30:8 · KJV

Verse 7 brings the ephod near; verse 8 reveals what that nearness makes possible: David inquires before pursuing. The sequence moves from request, to inquiry, to action.

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