1 Samuel 26:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains."

NIV: Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea—as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

NASB: Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord; for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, just as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.'

CSB: So don’t let my blood fall to the ground far from the Lord’s presence, for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, like one who pursues a partridge in the mountains."

NLT: Must I die on foreign soil, far from the presence of the Lord? Why has the king of Israel come out to search for a single flea? Why does he hunt me down like a partridge on the mountains?'

KJV: Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

NKJV: So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”

First Samuel 26:17–20 closely emulates the events of 1 Samuel 24:8–15. Saul and his army are chasing David and his men. David manages to reach Saul unaware and defenseless. David takes something that proves David could have killed the king but didn't (1 Samuel 24:1–7; 26:1–12). Now, David is presenting his prize. Before, it was a corner of Saul's robe. Now, it is Saul's spear which had been next to the sleeping king. David proclaims his innocence. Saul will apologize, and the two will part peacefully (1 Samuel 24:16–22; 26:24–25). This time, David won't take any chances. He'll take his men and families where Saul can't go: the land of the Philistines (1 Samuel 27).

History repeats itself. With information from locals, Saul and his army hunt David and his men, but David finds them first. He walks past the sleeping army and takes Saul's spear. From a safe distance, David calls down into the camp and holds up the evidence that he could have killed Saul. Saul confesses that he has sinned against David and promises to stop trying to kill him. David says his only confidence for deliverance is in the Lord. Saul leaves and David takes his men and families to the safety of Philistine territory.

Earlier, David passed up an opportunity to kill King Saul while he was unaware (1 Samuel 24). The same general event happens once again. The people of Ziph tell Saul where David is, and Saul comes running (1 Samuel 23:19–24). David finds Saul first and takes evidence that he could have killed the king but didn't. David confronts Saul, and Saul admits David is righteous and loyal (1 Samuel 24). This time, David is finished trusting Saul. He takes his people to Achish, the king of Gath. Apparently, the Philistine king respects David's honor more than David's own king (1 Samuel 27). Meanwhile, Saul slips further into disobedience to God (1 Samuel 28).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.