Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, July 19th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Read the Bible
Douay-Rheims Bible
1 Samuel 26:4
He sent spies, and learned that he was most certainly come thither.
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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.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Dauid therefore sent out spies, & vnderstoode that Saul was come in very deede.
Dauid therefore sent out spies, & vnderstoode that Saul was come in very deede.
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.
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 And the men of Ziph came to Saul in Gabaa, saying: Behold David is hid in the hill of Hachila, which is over against the wilderness. 2 And Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph having with him three thousand chosen men of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul encamped in Gabaa Hachila, which was over against the wilderness in the way: and David abode in the wilderness. And seeing that Saul was come after him into the wilderness, 4 He sent spies, and learned that he was most certainly come thither. 5 And David arose secretly, and came to the place where Saul was: and when he had beheld the place, wherein Saul slept, and Abner, the son of Ner, the captain of his army, and Saul sleeping in a tent, and the rest of the multitude round 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 will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: if any man be able to number the dust of the earth, he shall be able to number thy seed also.
And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: if any man be able to number the dust of the earth, he shall be able to number thy seed also.
Genesis 15:5
And he brought him forth abroad, and said to him: Look up to heaven and number the stars if thou canst. And he said to him: So shall thy seed be.
And he brought him forth abroad, and said to him: Look up to heaven and number the stars if thou canst. And he said to him: So shall thy seed be.
Genesis 15:18
That day God made a covenant with Abram, saying: To thy seed will I give this land, from the river to Egypt even to the great river Euphrates.
That day God made a covenant with Abram, saying: To thy seed will I give this land, from the river to Egypt even to the great river Euphrates.
Genesis 18:18
Seeing he shall become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth shall be blessed?
Seeing he shall become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth shall be blessed?
Genesis 26:2
And the Lord appeared to him, and said: Go not down into Egypt, but stay in the land that I shall tell thee.
And the Lord appeared to him, and said: Go not down into Egypt, but stay in the land that I shall tell thee.
Genesis 26:3
And sojourn in it, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee: for to thee and to thy seed I will give all these countries, to fulfil the oath which I swore to Abraham thy father.
And sojourn in it, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee: for to thee and to thy seed I will give all these countries, to fulfil the oath which I swore to Abraham thy father.
Genesis 26:4
And I will multiply thy seed like the stars of heaven: and I will give to thy posterity all these countries: and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
And I will multiply thy seed like the stars of heaven: and I will give to thy posterity all these countries: and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 26:8
And when very many days were passed, and he abode there, Abimelech, king of the Palestines, looking out through a window, saw him playing with Rebecca, his wife.
And when very many days were passed, and he abode there, Abimelech, king of the Palestines, looking out through a window, saw him playing with Rebecca, his wife.
Genesis 26:17
So he departed, and came to the torrent of Gerara, to dwell there:
So he departed, and came to the torrent of Gerara, to dwell there:
Genesis 26:18
And he digged again other wells, which the servants of his father, Abraham, had digged, and which, after his death, the Philistines had of old stopped up: and he called them by the same names, by which his father before had called them.
And he digged again other wells, which the servants of his father, Abraham, had digged, and which, after his death, the Philistines had of old stopped up: and he called them by the same names, by which his father before had called 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.
