Lectionary Calendar
Friday, January 16th, 2026
the First Week after Epiphany
the First Week after Epiphany
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Bishop's Bible
1 Samuel 26:4
Dauid therefore sent out spies, & vnderstoode that Saul was come in very deede.
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- CharlesEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.
So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.
Hebrew Names Version
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Sha'ul was come of a certainty.
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Sha'ul was come of a certainty.
King James Version
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.
Lexham English Bible
David sent spies, and he learned that Saul had come for certain.
David sent spies, and he learned that Saul had come for certain.
English Standard Version
David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come.
David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come.
New Century Version
he sent out spies and learned for certain that Saul had come to Hakilah.
he sent out spies and learned for certain that Saul had come to Hakilah.
New English Translation
David sent scouts and verified that Saul had indeed arrived.
David sent scouts and verified that Saul had indeed arrived.
Amplified Bible
David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.
David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.
New American Standard Bible
David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.
David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.
Geneva Bible (1587)
(For Dauid had sent out spies, and vnderstood, that Saul was come in very deede)
(For Dauid had sent out spies, and vnderstood, that Saul was come in very deede)
Legacy Standard Bible
So David sent out spies and knew that Saul was certainly coming.
So David sent out spies and knew that Saul was certainly coming.
Contemporary English Version
he sent some spies to find out if it was true.
he sent some spies to find out if it was true.
Complete Jewish Bible
So David dispatched spies and determined that Sha'ul had definitely come.
So David dispatched spies and determined that Sha'ul had definitely come.
Darby Translation
David sent out spies, and learned that Saul was certainly come.
David sent out spies, and learned that Saul was certainly come.
Easy-to-Read Version
So David sent out spies to know for certain that Saul had come after him again.
So David sent out spies to know for certain that Saul had come after him again.
George Lamsa Translation
David therefore sent out spies, and learned that Saul had come after him.
David therefore sent out spies, and learned that Saul had come after him.
Good News Translation
he sent spies and found out that Saul was indeed there.
he sent spies and found out that Saul was indeed there.
Literal Translation
And David sent spies, and he knew that Saul had certainly come to Nachon.
And David sent spies, and he knew that Saul had certainly come to Nachon.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
he sent out spyes, and knewe of a suertie, that he was come in dede.
he sent out spyes, and knewe of a suertie, that he was come in dede.
American Standard Version
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.
Bible in Basic English
And so David sent out watchers, and got word from them that Saul was certainly coming.
And so David sent out watchers, and got word from them that Saul was certainly coming.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.
King James Version (1611)
Dauid therefore sent out spies, and vnderstood that Saul was come in very deed.
Dauid therefore sent out spies, and vnderstood that Saul was come in very deed.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And David sent spies, and ascertained that Saul was come prepared out of Keila.
And David sent spies, and ascertained that Saul was come prepared out of Keila.
English Revised Version
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.
Berean Standard Bible
David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.
David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and Dauid sente aspieris, and lernede moost certeynli, that Saul hadde come thidur.
and Dauid sente aspieris, and lernede moost certeynli, that Saul hadde come thidur.
Young's Literal Translation
and David sendeth spies, and knoweth that Saul hath come unto Nachon,
and David sendeth spies, and knoweth that Saul hath come unto Nachon,
Update Bible Version
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul came of a certainty.
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul came of a certainty.
Webster's Bible Translation
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had come in very deed.
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had come in very deed.
World English Bible
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.
New King James Version
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come.
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come.
New Living Translation
he sent out spies to verify the report of Saul's arrival.
he sent out spies to verify the report of Saul's arrival.
New Life Bible
David sent out spies and learned that Saul was coming for sure.
David sent out spies and learned that Saul was coming for sure.
New Revised Standard
David sent out spies, and learned that Saul had indeed arrived.
David sent out spies, and learned that Saul had indeed arrived.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
David therefore sent runners, - and took knowledge that Saul had come, for a certainty.
David therefore sent runners, - and took knowledge that Saul had come, for a certainty.
Douay-Rheims Bible
He sent spies, and learned that he was most certainly come thither.
He sent spies, and learned that he was most certainly come thither.
Revised Standard Version
David sent out spies, and learned of a certainty that Saul had come.
David sent out spies, and learned of a certainty that Saul had come.
THE MESSAGE
Obsessed with a Single Flea Some Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Did you know that David is hiding out on the Hakilah Hill just opposite Jeshimon?" Saul was on his feet in a minute and on his way to the wilderness of Ziph, taking three thousand of his best men, the pick of the crop, to hunt for David in that wild desert. He camped just off the road at the Hakilah Hill, opposite Jeshimon. David, still out in the backcountry, knew Saul had come after him. He sent scouts to determine his precise location. Then David set out and came to the place where Saul had set up camp and saw for himself where Saul and Abner, son of Ner, his general, were staying. Saul was safely inside the camp, encircled by the army. Taking charge, David spoke to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother: "Who will go down with me and enter Saul's camp?" Abishai whispered, "I'll go with you." So David and Abishai entered the encampment by night, and there he was—Saul, stretched out asleep at the center of the camp, his spear stuck in the ground near his head, with Abner and the troops sound asleep on all sides. Abishai said, "This is the moment! God has put your enemy in your grasp. Let me nail him to the ground with his spear. One hit will do it, believe me; I won't need a second!" But David said to Abishai, "Don't you dare hurt him! Who could lay a hand on God 's anointed and even think of getting away with it?" He went on, "As God lives, either God will strike him, or his time will come and he'll die in bed, or he'll fall in battle, but God forbid that I should lay a finger on God 's anointed. Now, grab the spear at his head and the water jug and let's get out of here." David took the spear and water jug that were right beside Saul's head, and they slipped away. Not a soul saw. Not a soul knew. No one woke up! They all slept through the whole thing. A blanket of deep sleep from God had fallen on them. Then David went across to the opposite hill and stood far away on the top of the mountain. With this safe distance between them, he shouted across to the army and Abner son of Ner, "Hey, Abner! How long do I have to wait for you to wake up and answer me?" Abner said, "Who's calling?" "Aren't you in charge there?" said David. "Why aren't you minding the store? Why weren't you standing guard over your master the king, when a soldier came to kill the king your master? Bad form! As God lives, your life should be forfeit, you and the entire bodyguard. Look what I have—the king's spear and water jug that were right beside his head!" By now, Saul had recognized David's voice and said, "Is that you, my son David?" David said, "Yes, it's me, O King, my master. Why are you after me, hunting me down? What have I done? What crime have I committed? Oh, my master, my king, listen to this from your servant: If God has stirred you up against me, then I gladly offer my life as a sacrifice. But if it's men who have done it, let them be banished from God 's presence! They've expelled me from my rightful place in God 's heritage, sneering, ‘Out of here! Go get a job with some other god!' But you're not getting rid of me that easily; you'll not separate me from God in life or death. The absurdity! The king of Israel obsessed with a single flea! Hunting me down—a mere partridge—out in the hills!" Saul confessed, "I've sinned! Oh, come back, my dear son David! I won't hurt you anymore. You've honored me this day, treating my life as most precious. And I've acted the fool—a moral dunce, a real clown." David answered, "See what I have here? The king's spear. Let one of your servants come and get it. It's God 's business to decide what to do with each of us in regard to what's right and who's loyal. God put your life in my hands today, but I wasn't willing to lift a finger against God 's anointed. Just as I honored your life today, may God honor my life and rescue me from all trouble." Saul said to David, "Bless you, dear son David! Yes, do what you have to do! And, yes, succeed in all you attempt!" Then David went on his way, and Saul went home.
Obsessed with a Single Flea Some Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Did you know that David is hiding out on the Hakilah Hill just opposite Jeshimon?" Saul was on his feet in a minute and on his way to the wilderness of Ziph, taking three thousand of his best men, the pick of the crop, to hunt for David in that wild desert. He camped just off the road at the Hakilah Hill, opposite Jeshimon. David, still out in the backcountry, knew Saul had come after him. He sent scouts to determine his precise location. Then David set out and came to the place where Saul had set up camp and saw for himself where Saul and Abner, son of Ner, his general, were staying. Saul was safely inside the camp, encircled by the army. Taking charge, David spoke to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother: "Who will go down with me and enter Saul's camp?" Abishai whispered, "I'll go with you." So David and Abishai entered the encampment by night, and there he was—Saul, stretched out asleep at the center of the camp, his spear stuck in the ground near his head, with Abner and the troops sound asleep on all sides. Abishai said, "This is the moment! God has put your enemy in your grasp. Let me nail him to the ground with his spear. One hit will do it, believe me; I won't need a second!" But David said to Abishai, "Don't you dare hurt him! Who could lay a hand on God 's anointed and even think of getting away with it?" He went on, "As God lives, either God will strike him, or his time will come and he'll die in bed, or he'll fall in battle, but God forbid that I should lay a finger on God 's anointed. Now, grab the spear at his head and the water jug and let's get out of here." David took the spear and water jug that were right beside Saul's head, and they slipped away. Not a soul saw. Not a soul knew. No one woke up! They all slept through the whole thing. A blanket of deep sleep from God had fallen on them. Then David went across to the opposite hill and stood far away on the top of the mountain. With this safe distance between them, he shouted across to the army and Abner son of Ner, "Hey, Abner! How long do I have to wait for you to wake up and answer me?" Abner said, "Who's calling?" "Aren't you in charge there?" said David. "Why aren't you minding the store? Why weren't you standing guard over your master the king, when a soldier came to kill the king your master? Bad form! As God lives, your life should be forfeit, you and the entire bodyguard. Look what I have—the king's spear and water jug that were right beside his head!" By now, Saul had recognized David's voice and said, "Is that you, my son David?" David said, "Yes, it's me, O King, my master. Why are you after me, hunting me down? What have I done? What crime have I committed? Oh, my master, my king, listen to this from your servant: If God has stirred you up against me, then I gladly offer my life as a sacrifice. But if it's men who have done it, let them be banished from God 's presence! They've expelled me from my rightful place in God 's heritage, sneering, ‘Out of here! Go get a job with some other god!' But you're not getting rid of me that easily; you'll not separate me from God in life or death. The absurdity! The king of Israel obsessed with a single flea! Hunting me down—a mere partridge—out in the hills!" Saul confessed, "I've sinned! Oh, come back, my dear son David! I won't hurt you anymore. You've honored me this day, treating my life as most precious. And I've acted the fool—a moral dunce, a real clown." David answered, "See what I have here? The king's spear. Let one of your servants come and get it. It's God 's business to decide what to do with each of us in regard to what's right and who's loyal. God put your life in my hands today, but I wasn't willing to lift a finger against God 's anointed. Just as I honored your life today, may God honor my life and rescue me from all trouble." Saul said to David, "Bless you, dear son David! Yes, do what you have to do! And, yes, succeed in all you attempt!" Then David went on his way, and Saul went home.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming.
David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming.
Contextual Overview
1 The Ziphites came againe vnto Saul to Gibea, saying: Doth not Dauid hide him selfe in the hill of Hachilia, which is before Iesimon? 2 Saul arose, & went downe to the wildernes of Ziph, hauing three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, for to seke Dauid in the wildernesse of Ziph. 3 And Saul pitched in the hil of Hachilia, which is before Iesimon by the way side: But Dauid dwelt in the wildernesse, and he sawe that Saul came after him into the wildernesse: 4 Dauid therefore sent out spies, & vnderstoode that Saul was come in very deede. 5 And Dauid arose, & came to the place where Saul had pitched: & Dauid beheld the place where Saul lay, & Abner the sonne of Ner which was his chiefe captayne: for Saul lay in the fort, & the people pytched rounde about him.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Joshua 2:1, Matthew 10:16
Reciprocal: Genesis 42:9 - Ye are spies 1 Samuel 24:15 - deliver
Cross-References
Genesis 13:16
And I wyl make thy seede as the dust of the earth: so that yf a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seede also be numbred.
And I wyl make thy seede as the dust of the earth: so that yf a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seede also be numbred.
Genesis 15:5
And he brought hym out, and sayde: loke vp vnto heauen, and tell the starres, if thou be able to number them. And he sayde vnto hym: euen so shall thy seede be.
And he brought hym out, and sayde: loke vp vnto heauen, and tell the starres, if thou be able to number them. And he sayde vnto hym: euen so shall thy seede be.
Genesis 15:18
In that same day the Lorde made a couenaunt with Abram, saying: vnto thy seede haue I geuen this lande, fro the ryuer of Egypt, euen vnto the great ryuer, the ryuer of Euphrates.
In that same day the Lorde made a couenaunt with Abram, saying: vnto thy seede haue I geuen this lande, fro the ryuer of Egypt, euen vnto the great ryuer, the ryuer of Euphrates.
Genesis 18:18
Seyng that Abraham shall surely be a great and a myghtie nation, and all the nations of the earth shalbe blessed in hym?
Seyng that Abraham shall surely be a great and a myghtie nation, and all the nations of the earth shalbe blessed in hym?
Genesis 26:2
And the Lorde appeared vnto hym, and sayde: Go not downe into Egypt, [but] abyde in the lande whiche I shall shewe vnto thee.
And the Lorde appeared vnto hym, and sayde: Go not downe into Egypt, [but] abyde in the lande whiche I shall shewe vnto thee.
Genesis 26:3
Soiourne in this lande, and I wyl be with thee, and wyll blesse thee: for vnto thee and vnto thy seede I wyll geue all these countreys, and I wyll perfourme the othe whiche I sware vnto Abraham thy father.
Soiourne in this lande, and I wyl be with thee, and wyll blesse thee: for vnto thee and vnto thy seede I wyll geue all these countreys, and I wyll perfourme the othe whiche I sware vnto Abraham thy father.
Genesis 26:4
And wyl make thy seede to multiplie as the starres of heauen, and wyll geue vnto thy seede al these countreys: and in thy seede shall all the nations of the earth be blessed:
And wyl make thy seede to multiplie as the starres of heauen, and wyll geue vnto thy seede al these countreys: and in thy seede shall all the nations of the earth be blessed:
Genesis 26:8
And after he had ben there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines loked out at a windowe, & sawe Isahac sportyng with Rebecca his wyfe.
And after he had ben there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines loked out at a windowe, & sawe Isahac sportyng with Rebecca his wyfe.
Genesis 26:17
Therefore Isahac departed thence, and abode in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
Therefore Isahac departed thence, and abode in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
Genesis 26:18
And Isahac returning, digged againe the welles of water which they digged in the dayes of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham, & named them after the same names by the which his father had named them.
And Isahac returning, digged againe the welles of water which they digged in the dayes of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham, & named them after the same names by the which his father had named them.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
David therefore sent out spies,.... To observe if he was coming or come, and where he was, that he might not be surprised by him; for though David knew the Lord was and would be his protection, he thought proper to be upon his guard, and to make use of means for his safety:
and understood that Saul was come in very deed; that he was most certainly come, and come to some certain place; which he himself went to reconnoitre, as in 1 Samuel 26:5.
