flea Summary and Overview

David at the cave of Adullam thus addressed his persecutor Saul (1 Sam. 24:14): "After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea?" He thus speaks of himself as the poor, contemptible object of the monarch's pursuit, a "worthy object truly for an expedition of the king of Israel with his picked troops!" This insect is in Eastern language the popular emblem of insignificance. In 1 Sam. 26:20 the LXX. read "come out to seek my life" instead of "to seek a flea."

an insect but twice mentioned in Scripture, viz., in #1Sa 24:14; 26:20| Fleas are abundant in the East, and afford the subject of many proverbial expressions.

FLEA , a small insect mentioned as the most insignificant of creatures. 1 Sam 24:14; 1 Sam 26:20. Residents and travellers in warm climates are too well acquainted with it. FLESH is used figuratively for everything living, Gen 6:13, Gen 6:17, Gen 6:19; sometimes mankind, Zech 6:12; sometimes the body as distinguished from the soul or spirit. Col 2:5; 1 Pet 4:6. In a theological sense, "the flesh" is the natural man. including the unrenewed will and mind, moving in the world of self and sense only. Rom 7:6; Neh 8:1, Song of Solomon 8:5, Rom 8:9; Gal 5:17, Gal 5:19; Eph 2:3. Self-imposed ordinances gratify the flesh -- i.e, self -- whilst seemingly mortifying it.

See Insects.