Michal took the teraphim and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair at its head and covered it with clothes.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 13. Image. Hebrew Teraphim. Aquila, “figures.” Sym. “idols.” Some believe that David had idols in his house, as ornaments, or to treat them with ignominy. Mercer.—But others cannot persuade themselves that he would keep such dangerous things. What Michol took, might therefore be some sacred representation, or a statue of some great man. Genebrard. (Kimchi. Maim.) Or it might be some piece of wood, or clothes folded up, so as to make the guards believe that David was in bed. Bochart, Anim. i. 2. 51. See Genesis 31:19. Calmet.—They would not examine very narrowly. Bible.—The Taraphim denote both idolatrous and sacred things. Ose. 3:4. Menochius.—Skin. Vat. and Alex. Septuagint “liver,” still warm and in motion. Tirinus.—But they have followed a false reading, as well as Josephus and Aquila. Calmet.—Some have inferred that the hair of goats in that country is reddish, because it was designed to resemble David’s hair, of the same colour. Tirinus.—This is, however, uncertain. The skin might form his pillow or coverlet. Calmet.
teraphim were household idols that may have been associated with inheritance rights to the household property.