1 Samuel 16:4 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Bible Comments

Beth-lehem. house of bread.

said. Hebrew text reads verb in singular, requiring "he, or one, said". In this case it is the Figure of speech Heterosis (of Number), App-6. But several codices, the Sevir (App-34), Targum, Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate, and the two earliest printed editions, read "they said".

1 Samuel 16:4

4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?