Definition: And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant [is] lame.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Samuel 19:26. It’s a really important part of understanding David’s situation and how he was treated by King Saul. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Story: David was king at the time, but his friend, Jonathan, was secretly deceiving him. Jonathan told David that he would ride a donkey (a very simple animal) to meet the King Saul. David, who was lame, agreed to do this. What happened next? Jonathan said, “I will saddle me an ass and go to the King.” This means he’d take a donkey and ride it to Saul's palace. The Key Point – It's a Lie! However, David realized that Jonathan was lying. He found out that Jonathan wasn't really going to do this. Instead, Jonathan was trying to get David to make a deal with Saul – essentially, David would be forced to go to the King and give him some of his power or influence. So, what does it mean? David was tricked: He trusted someone who wasn’t telling him the truth. David was being manipulated: Jonathan was using him as a pawn in a bigger game. David was betrayed: He lost trust and confidence in his friend. The Significance: This verse highlights several important themes: Trust is essential: David’s entire reign depended on trusting people, but this situation shows how easily it can be broken. Honesty and integrity are vital: David's refusal to believe Jonathan meant he was upholding his own moral principles – being truthful and refusing to compromise his values. In short, it's a story about deception, betrayal, and the importance of discerning truth from lies. --- Do you want me to explain any specific part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain what "saddle" means? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger story of David's life and his relationship with Saul?