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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 26:4 David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/26-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/09_1Sa_26_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 26:4 - David Again Spares Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/26-3.htm" title="1 Samuel 26:3">◄</a> 1 Samuel 26:4 <a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm" title="1 Samuel 26:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/26.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/26.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/26.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />he sent out spies to verify the report of Saul’s arrival.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/26.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/26.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/26.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/26.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/26.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/26.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/26.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/26.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So David sent out spies and knew that Saul was certainly coming.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/26.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/26.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/26.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/26.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/26.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />he sent some spies to find out if it was true. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/26.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/26.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />David sent spies to confirm that Saul had arrived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/26.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />he sent spies and found out that Saul was indeed there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/26.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />David sent out spies and found out for certain that Saul had arrived. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/26.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/26.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />David sent scouts and verified that Saul had indeed arrived. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/26.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had certainly come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/26.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had come in very deed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/26.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had certainly come. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/26.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and David sends spies, and knows that Saul has come to Nachon,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/26.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and David sendeth spies, and knoweth that Saul hath come unto Nachon,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/26.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And David will send spies, and he knew that Saul came for a certainty.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/26.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He sent spies, and learned that he was most certainly come thither. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/26.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />he sent explorers, and he learned that he certainly had arrived in that place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/26.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and sent out scouts, who confirmed Saul’s arrival.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/26.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />David sent out spies, and learned that Saul had indeed arrived.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/26.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />David therefore sent out spies, and learned that Saul had come after him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/26.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And David sent spies and knew that Shaul came after him<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/26.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/26.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And David sent spies, and ascertained that Saul was come prepared out of Keila.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/26-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=7815" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/26.htm">David Again Spares Saul</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon, but David was living in the wilderness. When he realized that Saul had followed him there, <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·yiš·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">sent out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7270.htm" title="7270: mə·rag·gə·lîm (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer; also to lead about.">spies</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: way·yê·ḏa‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">to verify</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3559.htm" title="3559: nā·ḵō·wn (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to be erect; hence to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal, or figurative."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ḇā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">had arrived.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp, with the troops camped around him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-23.htm">1 Samuel 23:23</a></span><br />Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-2.htm">1 Samuel 24:2</a></span><br />So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">1 Samuel 23:19-20</a></span><br />Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon? / Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/15-10.htm">2 Samuel 15:10</a></span><br />Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-13.htm">2 Kings 6:13</a></span><br />So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-32.htm">Psalm 37:32</a></span><br />Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8-9</a></span><br />He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. / He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-11.htm">Proverbs 1:11-12</a></span><br />If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-8.htm">Matthew 2:8</a></span><br />And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-4.htm">Matthew 26:4</a></span><br />and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-1.htm">Mark 14:1</a></span><br />Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-20.htm">Luke 20:20</a></span><br />So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-57.htm">John 11:57</a></span><br />But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where He was must report it, so that they could arrest Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-21.htm">Acts 23:21</a></span><br />Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-24.htm">Acts 9:24</a></span><br />but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/2-1.htm">Joshua 2:1</a></b></br> And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a></b></br> Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/25-12.htm">Arrived</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-23.htm">Certainty</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-3.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-34.htm">Deed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-10.htm">Definitely</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-9.htm">Learned</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-6.htm">Nachon</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-3.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-17.htm">Scouts</a> <a href="/judges/1-24.htm">Spies</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-6.htm">Understood</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Watchers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-24.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/30-26.htm">Arrived</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-21.htm">Certainty</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-14.htm">Deed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-10.htm">Definitely</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-7.htm">Learned</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-6.htm">Nachon</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-17.htm">Scouts</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-10.htm">Spies</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-37.htm">Understood</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-10.htm">Watchers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-9.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 26</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-1.htm">Saul, by the discovery of the Ziphites, comes to Hachilah against David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-4.htm">David coming into the trench keeps Abishai from killing Saul, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-11.htm">but takes his spear and jug</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-13.htm">David reproves Abner</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-17.htm">and exhorts Saul</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/26-21.htm">Saul acknowledges his sin</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/26.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/26.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>David sent out spies</b><br>In the ancient Near East, espionage was a common military tactic. David, a skilled military leader, utilized spies to gather intelligence, demonstrating his strategic acumen. This action reflects David's cautious approach, ensuring he had accurate information before making decisions. The use of spies is also seen in other biblical narratives, such as the story of the Israelite spies sent into Canaan (Numbers 13). This highlights the importance of wisdom and discernment in leadership.<p><b>to verify that Saul had arrived.</b><br>David's need to confirm Saul's presence underscores the ongoing tension between them. Saul, the first king of Israel, was pursuing David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. This pursuit is a recurring theme in 1 Samuel, illustrating the conflict between God's anointed king, David, and the rejected king, Saul. The verification of Saul's arrival indicates David's awareness of the threat Saul posed and his desire to avoid unnecessary confrontation. This moment foreshadows David's eventual rise to kingship, as he consistently seeks God's guidance and acts with prudence.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The anointed future king of Israel, known for his faithfulness to God and his complex relationship with King Saul. At this point, David is in hiding from Saul, who seeks to kill him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, who has fallen out of favor with God due to his disobedience. Saul is pursuing David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/spies.htm">Spies</a></b><br>Individuals sent by David to gather intelligence on Saul's movements. This action demonstrates David's strategic thinking and caution.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness_of_ziph.htm">Wilderness of Ziph</a></b><br>The region where David is hiding. It is a rugged area that provides natural cover and strategic advantage for David and his men.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/event.htm">Event</a></b><br>David's decision to send out spies to confirm Saul's presence highlights his careful approach to dealing with his adversary, balancing faith in God with practical measures.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/strategic_faithfulness.htm">Strategic Faithfulness</a></b><br>David's use of spies shows that faith in God does not preclude the use of wisdom and strategy. Believers are encouraged to act wisely while trusting in God's sovereignty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_authority.htm">Respect for Authority</a></b><br>Despite Saul's pursuit, David respects Saul's position as the Lord's anointed. This teaches the importance of respecting authority, even when it is flawed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_timing.htm">God's Timing</a></b><br>David's patience in waiting for God's timing to ascend to the throne is a lesson in trusting God's plan and timing in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_and_caution.htm">Courage and Caution</a></b><br>David's actions demonstrate a balance of courage and caution. Believers are called to be bold in their faith while being prudent in their actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance.htm">Seeking God's Guidance</a></b><br>David's reliance on intelligence gathering reflects the importance of seeking God's guidance and wisdom in decision-making processes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_26.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 26</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_1_chr_10_4_and_2_sam_1_10.htm">How can 1 Chronicles 10's account that Saul died by falling on his own sword (1 Chronicles 10:4) be reconciled with 2 Samuel 1:10, where an Amalekite claims to have killed him?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_wasn't_abner_punished_for_failing_saul.htm">Why did Abner, responsible for guarding Saul, face no immediate consequences for failing to protect the king? (1 Samuel 26:15-16)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_david_anointed_again_in_2_samuel.htm">In 2 Samuel 2:4, why is David anointed again when he was already anointed in 1 Samuel 16:13?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_proof_david_wrote_psalm_54.htm">If this psalm is attributed to David (Psalm 54 title), is there verifiable historical proof of him composing it during his conflict with the Ziphites?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/26-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">David</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sent out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">spies</span><br /><span class="heb">מְרַגְּלִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·rag·gə·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7270.htm">Strong's 7270: </a> </span><span class="str2">To walk along, to reconnoiter, to be a, tale-bearer, to lead about</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to verify</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֕דַע</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·ḏa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Saul</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁא֖וּל</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had arrived.</span><br /><span class="heb">בָ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/26-4.htm">1 Samuel 26:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/26-4.htm">1 Samuel 26:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/26-4.htm">1 Samuel 26:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/26-4.htm">1 Samuel 26:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/26-4.htm">1 Samuel 26:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/26-4.htm">1 Samuel 26:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/26-4.htm">1 Samuel 26:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/26-4.htm">1 Samuel 26:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/26-4.htm">1 Samuel 26:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/26-4.htm">1 Samuel 26:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/26-4.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 26:4 David therefore sent out spies and understood (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/26-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 26:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 26:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/26-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 26:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 26:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>