1 Samuel 26:4
New International Version
he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived.

New Living Translation
he sent out spies to verify the report of Saul’s arrival.

English Standard Version
David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come.

Berean Standard Bible
David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.

King James Bible
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.

New King James Version
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come.

New American Standard Bible
David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.

NASB 1995
David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming.

NASB 1977
David sent out spies, and he knew that Saul was definitely coming.

Legacy Standard Bible
So David sent out spies and knew that Saul was certainly coming.

Amplified Bible
David sent out spies, and he learned that Saul was definitely coming.

Christian Standard Bible
So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.

American Standard Version
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.

Contemporary English Version
he sent some spies to find out if it was true.

English Revised Version
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David sent spies to confirm that Saul had arrived.

Good News Translation
he sent spies and found out that Saul was indeed there.

International Standard Version
David sent out spies and found out for certain that Saul had arrived.

Majority Standard Bible
David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived.

NET Bible
David sent scouts and verified that Saul had indeed arrived.

New Heart English Bible
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had certainly come.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 had certainly come.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and David sends spies, and knows that Saul has come to Nachon,

Young's Literal Translation
and David sendeth spies, and knoweth that Saul hath come unto Nachon,

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will send spies, and he knew that Saul came for a certainty.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He sent spies, and learned that he was most certainly come thither.

Catholic Public Domain Version
he sent explorers, and he learned that he certainly had arrived in that place.

New American Bible
and sent out scouts, who confirmed Saul’s arrival.

New Revised Standard Version
David sent out spies, and learned that Saul had indeed arrived.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
David therefore sent out spies, and learned that Saul had come after him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David sent spies and knew that Shaul came after him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come of a certainty.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David sent spies, and ascertained that Saul was come prepared out of Keila.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Again Spares Saul
3Saul 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, 4David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived. 5Then 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.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 23:23
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.”

1 Samuel 24:2
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.

1 Samuel 23:19-20
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.”

2 Samuel 15:10
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!’”

2 Kings 6:13
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,”

Psalm 37:32
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

Psalm 10:8-9
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.

Proverbs 1:11-12
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.

Matthew 2:8
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.”

Matthew 26:4
and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

Mark 14:1
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.

Luke 20:20
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.

John 11:57
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.

Acts 23:21
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.”

Acts 9:24
but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Joshua 2:1
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.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

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Arrived Certainty David Deed Definitely Learned Nachon Saul Scouts Spies Understood Watchers Word
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Arrived Certainty David Deed Definitely Learned Nachon Saul Scouts Spies Understood Watchers Word
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














he sent out spies
The phrase "he sent out spies" indicates a strategic and cautious approach by David. The Hebrew root for "spies" is "רָגַל" (ragal), which means to explore or to foot it, often used in the context of reconnaissance. This action reflects David's wisdom and prudence in dealing with Saul, who was pursuing him. In the broader biblical narrative, sending spies is a common practice for gathering intelligence, as seen in the account of the twelve spies sent by Moses in Numbers 13. David's use of spies underscores his leadership qualities and his reliance on careful planning rather than impulsive actions.

and learned
The word "learned" comes from the Hebrew "יָדַע" (yada), which means to know or to ascertain by seeing. This implies that David did not act on assumptions or rumors but sought to confirm the facts. In a spiritual sense, this reflects the importance of seeking truth and understanding before making decisions. It also highlights the value of discernment, a recurring theme in the Bible, where believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and knowledge from God.

that Saul had definitely arrived
The phrase "that Saul had definitely arrived" confirms the certainty of Saul's presence. The Hebrew word for "definitely" is "נָכוֹן" (nakon), meaning established or certain. This certainty is crucial for David's next steps, as it removes any doubt about Saul's intentions. Historically, Saul's relentless pursuit of David is a testament to the intense conflict between them, driven by Saul's jealousy and fear of losing his kingdom. This moment of confirmation is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the events that follow, where David's faith and integrity are tested. In a broader theological context, it serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the assurance that His plans are established and certain, even amidst human conflict and uncertainty.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

sent out
וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

spies
מְרַגְּלִ֑ים (mə·rag·gə·lîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7270: To walk along, to reconnoiter, to be a, tale-bearer, to lead about

to verify
וַיֵּ֕דַע (way·yê·ḏa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

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

had arrived.
בָ֥א (ḇā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go


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OT History: 1 Samuel 26:4 David therefore sent out spies and understood (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 26:3
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