1 Samuel 26:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come.

NIV: he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived.

NASB: David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.

CSB: So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.

NLT: he sent out spies to verify the report of Saul’s arrival.

KJV: David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.

NKJV: David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come.

First Samuel 26:1–5 echoes the events of 1 Samuel 23:19–24. Ziphites send word of David's location to Saul, and Saul brings his army. While the encampment sleeps, David spies on them. Saul and his general Abner are in the center, surrounded by sleeping soldiers. Reminiscent of 1 Samuel 24, David will sneak into the camp and take evidence that he could have killed Saul: this time, Saul's spear. Despite Saul, again, telling David that he's in the wrong and David is right, David will take his men to safer territory where Saul will never follow (1 Samuel 26:6—27:1).

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.

Accessed 9/17/2025 2:43:26 AM