Bolster
The Word "Bolster" in Scripture
The word "bolster" appears exclusively in the King James Version of the Bible, found in the stories of David and Saul in 1 Samuel. Modern translations have replaced it with more accurate renderings such as "head" or "at his head," since the underlying Hebrew simply means "the place of the head" rather than a specific type of pillow or cushion.
Michal's Deception with the Teraphim
The first occurrence appears in the account of Michal helping David escape from Saul's murderous intent (1 Samuel 19:13-16). When Saul sent messengers to capture David, Michal placed a household idol (teraphim) in the bed and put a pillow of goat's hair at the head position — the "bolster" — to simulate David sleeping. This clever ruse bought David the time he needed to flee. The detail about the bolster area helps readers picture the domestic setting and the ingenuity of the deception.
David Spares Saul's Life
The more significant usage comes in the dramatic wilderness encounter of 1 Samuel 26:7-16. David and Abishai crept into Saul's camp at night and found the king sleeping with his spear stuck in the ground at his head — his "bolster." Rather than killing his pursuer, David took only the spear and a water jug from beside Saul's head as proof that he had been close enough to kill but chose not to. The position of these items at the bolster became powerful evidence of both David's proximity and his restraint.
A Translation Question
The Hebrew word translated "bolster" is a compound expression indicating the place or location of the head. Later English translations recognized that "bolster" — which in modern English suggests a long pillow — was misleading. The Revised Version and subsequent translations simply use "head" or "at his head," which more faithfully captures the original meaning. This shift illustrates how Bible translation must adapt as language evolves to avoid creating false impressions in readers' minds.
Theological Lessons from These Passages
While the word "bolster" itself carries no deep theological weight, the passages where it appears teach profound lessons. In 1 Samuel 26, David's refusal to harm "the Lord's anointed" even when Saul lay defenseless demonstrates remarkable faith in God's timing and sovereignty. David trusted that God would deal with Saul in His own way (1 Samuel 26:10). The spear at the bolster — a weapon that could have ended David's troubles — became instead a symbol of David's integrity and trust in divine justice.
Biblical Context
The term "bolster" appears in 1 Samuel 19:13, 16 and 1 Samuel 26:7, 11-12, 16 in the KJV. Both passages belong to the narrative of Saul's pursuit of David. In the first, Michal uses props at the head of a bed to fake David's presence. In the second, David enters Saul's camp and finds the king sleeping with his spear at his head. These are pivotal moments in the David-Saul conflict that demonstrate themes of loyalty, divine protection, and respect for God-appointed authority.
Theological Significance
The passages containing "bolster" illustrate God's sovereign protection over David and the principle of respecting divinely appointed leadership. David's decision not to harm Saul, despite having the perfect opportunity at his bolster, reveals a man who trusted God's plan above personal vengeance. This foreshadows the New Testament teaching to leave vengeance to God (Romans 12:19) and models patience under persecution.
Historical Background
In ancient Israel, people typically slept on the ground or on simple mats, often using a rolled garment or a stuffed cushion for head support. Warriors commonly kept their weapons close at hand while sleeping — Saul's spear planted in the ground near his head was standard military practice. The goat-hair pillow mentioned in 1 Samuel 19 reflects common household materials. The term "bolster" in older English referred broadly to a cushion or support, not necessarily the long pillow modern readers imagine.