1 Samuel 24:1

1 Samuel 24:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En–gedi.
• New International Version (NIV)After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi."
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, “Take note! David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi.”

Context of 1 Samuel 24:1

Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, it was reported to him, saying, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to search for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Mountain Goats. 3And he came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave.

1 Samuel 24:1 word by word

וַיְהִ֗י כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ שָׁ֣ב שָׁא֔וּל מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַיַּגִּ֤דוּ לוֹ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הִנֵּ֣ה דָוִ֔ד בְּמִדְבַּ֖ר עֵ֥ין גֶּֽדִי׃ סRead the interlinear

• Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• returnedשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• from pursuingאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּיpelishtîy · PhilistineH6430
• it was reportedנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
• to him, sayingאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Beholdהִנֵּהhinnêh · beholdH2009
• Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• is in the wildernessמִדְבָּרmidbâr · wildernessH4057
• of Engediעֵין גֶּ֫דִי‛êyn gedîy · EngediH5872

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 24:1

• 1 Samuel 23:28So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Division.
• 1 Samuel 23:19Then Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not keeping himself hidden with us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon?
• Proverbs 25:5Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness.
• Proverbs 29:12If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.
• Ezekiel 22:9Slanderous men have been among you for the purpose of shedding blood, and among you they have eaten at the mountain shrines. In your midst they have committed outrageous sin.
• Hosea 7:3With their wickedness they make the king happy, And the officials with their lies.
• 1 Samuel 23:29And David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 24:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Saul was returned - It is very probable that it was only a small marauding party that had made an excursion in the Israelitish borders, and this invasion was soon suppressed.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1David spares Saul's life. (1-7) David shows his innocence. (8-15) Saul acknowledges his fault. (16-22) Verses 1-7 God delivered Saul into David's hand. It was an opportunity given to David to exercise faith and patience. He had a promise of the kingdom, but no command to slay the king. He reasons strongly, both with himself and with his men, against doing Saul any hurt. Sin is a thing which it becomes us to startle at, and to resist temptations thereto…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-71Sa 24:1-7. David in a Cave at Engedi Cuts Off Saul's Skirt, but Spares His Life. 2. Saul ... went ... to seek David ... upon the rocks of the wild goats--Nothing but the blind infatuation of fiendish rage could have led the king to pursue his outlawed son-in-law among those craggy and perpendicular precipices, where were inaccessible hiding places. The large force he took with him seemed to give him every prospect of success. But the overruling…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 24:1

• Saul
• Self-Control

In the dictionaries

• David
• Philistines
• Saul
• En-Gedi
• Paul, Saul
• Judah, Tribe of
• Reward
• Wilderness
• Desert
• Flea

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 24

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings