After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.
The verse belongs to the confrontation between David, a shepherd trusting God's promise of the throne, and Saul, the established king determined to keep his power. When David spoke these words, he had just spared Saul when he could have killed him. At this same time David also offered Abiathar safety and shared protection because Saul was seeking both their lives.
In the verse David asks after whom the king of Israel has come out and whom he pursues, presenting himself as no more than a dead dog or a flea, an insignificant and harmless target. By this comparison David appeals to Saul to recognize that pursuing him is beneath the dignity of the king. The comparison underscores how unjustified Saul's hunt for David is. David's example in this account shows that faith in God's word can withstand human power.
The verse belongs to the confrontation between David, a shepherd trusting God's promise of the throne, and Saul, the established king determined to keep his power. When David spoke these words, he had just spared Saul when he could have killed him. At this same time David also offered Abiathar safety and shared protection because Saul was seeking both their lives.
In the verse David asks after whom the king of Israel has come out and whom he pursues, presenting himself as no more than a dead dog or a flea, an insignificant and harmless target. By this comparison David appeals to Saul to recognize that pursuing him is beneath the dignity of the king. The comparison underscores how unjustified Saul's hunt for David is. David's example in this account shows that faith in God's word can withstand human power.