1 Samuel 26:17 Then Saul recognized David's voice and asked, "Is that your voice, David my son?" "It is my voice, my lord and king," David said.

Bible > 1 Samuel > Chapter 26 > Verse 17

◄ 1 Samuel 26:17 ►

New International Version
Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David replied, “Yes it is, my lord the king.”

New Living Translation
Saul recognized David’s voice and called out, “Is that you, my son David?” And David replied, “Yes, my lord the king.

English Standard Version
Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.

King James Bible
And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

New King James Version
Then Saul knew David’s voice, and said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.”

NASB 1995
Then Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.”

NASB 1977
Then Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.”

Amplified Bible
Then Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king!”

Christian Standard Bible
Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, my son David? ” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, my son David?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.

American Standard Version
And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

Contemporary English Version
Saul could tell it was David's voice, and he called out, "David, my son! Is that you?" "Yes it is, Your Majesty.

English Revised Version
And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul recognized David's voice. "Is that your voice, my servant David?" he asked. "It is my voice, Your Royal Majesty," David answered.

Good News Translation
Saul recognized David's voice and asked, "David, is that you, my son?" "Yes, Your Majesty," David answered.

International Standard Version
Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" David replied, "It is my voice, your majesty."

Majority Standard Bible
Then Saul recognized David?s voice and asked, ?Is that your voice, David my son?? ?It is my voice, my lord and king,? David said.

NET Bible
When Saul recognized David's voice, he said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" David replied, "Yes, it's my voice, my lord the king."

New Heart English Bible
Saul knew David's voice, and said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" David said, "It is my voice, my lord, O king."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? and David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

World English Bible
Saul recognized David’s voice, and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And Saul discerns the voice of David and says, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David says, “My voice, my lord, O king!”

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul discerneth the voice of David, and saith, 'Is this thy voice, my son David?' and David saith, 'My voice, my lord, O king!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will know David's voice, and he will say, Is this thy voice, my son David? and David will say, My voice, my lord the king.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul knew David's voice, and said: Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said: It is my voice, my lord the king.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Saul recognized the voice of David, and he said, “Is this not your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord the king.”

New American Bible
Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David answered, “Yes, my lord the king.”

New Revised Standard Version
Saul recognized David’s voice, and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And Saul heard David's voice, and said to him, Is this your voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul heard the voice of David and said to him: “Is this your voice, my son David?” And he said, “It is my voice, my Lord the King!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul knew David's voice, and said: 'Is this thy voice, my son David?' And David said: 'It is my voice, my lord, O king.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul recognized the voice of David, and said, Is this thy voice, son David? and David said, I am thy servant, my lord, O king.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David Reproves Abner
…16This thing you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, all of you deserve to die, since you did not protect your lord, the LORD’s anointed. Now look around. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?” 17Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said. 18And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Samuel 24:16
When David had finished saying these things, Saul called back, “Is that your voice, David my son?” Then Saul wept aloud

1 Samuel 20:41
When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more.

1 Samuel 18:12
So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.

1 Samuel 19:6
Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.”

1 Samuel 23:7
When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.”

1 Samuel 18:29
he grew even more afraid of David. So from then on Saul was David’s enemy.

1 Samuel 19:1
Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,

1 Samuel 20:33
Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David.

1 Samuel 24:4-6
So David’s men said to him, “This is the day about which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do with him as you wish.’” Then David crept up and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. / Afterward, David’s conscience was stricken because he had cut off the corner of Saul’s robe. / So he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed. May I never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD’s anointed.”

1 Samuel 25:29
And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling.

2 Samuel 1:11-12
Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

2 Samuel 9:1
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

2 Samuel 16:11
Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so.

2 Samuel 19:22
And David replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, what have I to do with you, that you should be my adversaries today? Should any man be put to death in Israel today? Am I not indeed aware that today I am king over Israel?”

2 Samuel 24:10
After David had numbered the troops, his conscience was stricken and he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg You to take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.”

Treasury of Scripture

And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this your voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.

Is this thy

1 Samuel 24:8,16
David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself…

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Conscious David David's Discerneth Recognized Saul Voice

1 Samuel 26

1. Saul, by the discovery of the Ziphites, comes to Hachilah against David
4. David coming into the trench keeps Abishai from killing Saul,
11. but takes his spear and jug
13. David reproves Abner
17. and exhorts Saul
21. Saul acknowledges his sin

Berean Study Bible

Then Saul recognized David’s voice
The phrase begins with "Then," indicating a continuation of the narrative, a moment of realization for Saul. The Hebrew root for "recognized" is "nakar," which implies a deep, personal recognition, not just of sound but of identity and relationship. Saul's ability to recognize David's voice amidst the darkness signifies the enduring bond and history between them, despite the conflict. This moment is a poignant reminder of their past closeness, as David was once a favored member of Saul's court.

and said, 'Is that your voice, David my son?'
Saul's question, "Is that your voice," reflects a moment of vulnerability and perhaps a longing for reconciliation. The use of "David my son" is significant; it is a term of endearment and familial connection. In Hebrew culture, calling someone "my son" denotes affection and a deep bond. Despite Saul's pursuit of David, this phrase reveals a conflicted heart, torn between jealousy and paternal affection. It highlights the tragedy of Saul's downfall, as he grapples with his emotions and the consequences of his actions.

And David replied, 'It is, my lord the king.'
David's response is respectful and acknowledges Saul's authority, despite Saul's unjust pursuit. The phrase "my lord the king" is a testament to David's humility and his recognition of God's anointed leader, even when that leader is flawed. David's respect for Saul's position is rooted in his faith and understanding of God's sovereignty. This response exemplifies David's character, his patience, and his trust in God's timing for his own ascension to the throne. It serves as an inspirational model of how to respond to authority with grace and respect, even in adversity.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) And Saul knew David's voice.--The account is most natural throughout. 1Samuel 26:7 speaks of the enterprise being undertaken "by night," when the soldiers of Saul had fallen into "a deep sleep" (1Samuel 26:12). When David on his return stood on the opposite ridge, it was still, no doubt, the dawn of early morning. So Saul speaks of hearing that voice of David so well known to him, and which once he so dearly loved; he could not as yet discern the figure of his former friend.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 17-19. - Is this thy voice? So 1 Samuel 24:16. In the darkness the only way of recognising David was by his voice. If Jehovah have stirred thee up, etc. This is one of the many passages indicative of the intensity with which the Israelites had grasped the idea of the omnipresence of the Deity, and of his being the one power by whose energy all things exist and all acts are done (see on 1 Samuel 2:2). Alike evil and good come from God, for he alone is the source of all; but it does not therefore follow that everything which he makes possible, or to which his providence seems to lead, is therefore right for man to do (1 Samuel 24:4, 6). On the contrary, all leadings of providence are to be judged by God's immutable law, and the conduct of a Shimei may be absolutely wrong and unjustifiable, even though "Jehovah had bidden him do it" (2 Samuel 16:11). If, indeed, an external command come by the hand of a properly accredited person, it may take the same high position as the published law of God, and so override the conscience; but Shimei's bidding came through the working of his own passions, and was no more binding than the moving of David's mind by Jehovah to number Israel (2 Samuel 24:1). David, then, here sets forth the two only possible cases: first, Saul may be stirred up by Jehovah to persecute David, i.e. the temptation may come by the working of his own mind under those strong impulses which to the Israelite had in them always something Divine. But this was an impulse to break God's law, and was therefore to be resisted; and just as in modern phrase we should bid a person when strongly moved to some act to carry it to God's throne in prayer, so David urges Saul to seek for the quieting of his emotions in religion. Under holy influences these fierce passions would pass away, and Jehovah would accept an offering. Hebrew, "would smell it," because the offering, minchah, consisting of flour and frankincense, was burnt for a sweet odour before God. But, secondly, Saul might be stirred up by the calumnies of wicked men, in which case David prays that they may be cursed before Jehovah; because by forcing him to leave the covenant land of Israel they virtually say to him, Go, serve other gods. To a mind so intensely religious as David's, not only was the private devotion of the heart a necessity, but also the taking part in the public worship of the Deity (Psalm 42:2; Psalm 63:2; Psalm 84:2); and, therefore, to deprive him of this privilege and expel him from the inheritance of Jehovah, i.e. the earthly limits of Jehovah's Church, was to force him, as far as his enemies could do so, to be a heathen and a worshipper of strange gods.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then Saul
שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

recognized
וַיַּכֵּ֤ר (way·yak·kêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5234: To regard, recognize

David’s
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

voice
ק֣וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

and asked,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Is that
זֶ֖ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

your voice,
הֲקוֹלְךָ֥ (hă·qō·wl·ḵā)
Article | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

David
דָוִ֑ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

my son?”
בְּנִ֣י (bə·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1121: A son

“It is my voice,
קוֹלִ֖י (qō·w·lî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

my lord
אֲדֹנִ֥י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

and king,”
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

David
דָּוִ֔ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

said.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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OT History: 1 Samuel 26:17 Saul knew David's voice and said (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)