1 Samuel 26:2

1 Samuel 26:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
• New International Version (NIV)So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand select Israelite troops, to search there for David.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand chosen men of Israel to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
• New Living Translation (NLT)So Saul took 3,000 of Israel’s elite troops and went to hunt him down in the wilderness of Ziph.

Context of 1 Samuel 26:2

1Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?” Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of Ziph. 3And Saul encamped in the hill of Hachilah, which is opposite Jeshimon, by the road. But David stayed in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 4David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul had indeed come.

1 Samuel 26:2 word by word

וַיָּ֣קָם שָׁא֗וּל וַיֵּ֙רֶד֙ אֶל־מִדְבַּר־זִ֔יף וְאִתּ֛וֹ שְׁלֹֽשֶׁת־אֲלָפִ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ בְּחוּרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ אֶת־דָּוִ֖ד בְּמִדְבַּר־זִֽיף׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Then Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• aroseקוּםqûm · to arise: riseH6965
• and went downיָרַדyârad · to go downH3381
• to the wildernessמִדְבָּרmidbâr · wildernessH4057
• of Ziphזִיףzîyph · ZiphH2128
• having threeשָׁלֹשׁshâlôsh shâlôsh shelôshâh shelôshâh · threeH7969
• thousandאֶ֫לֶף'eleph · thousandH505
• chosenבָּחַרbâchar · to chooseH977
• menאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• with him, to seekבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 26:2

• 1 Samuel 23:23See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides; and come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. And it shall be, if he is in the land, that I will search for him throughout all the clans of Judah.”
• 1 Samuel 24:17Then he said to David: “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil.
• Psalms 38:12Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, And plan deception all the day long.
• Psalms 140:4Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men, Who have purposed to make my steps stumble.
• 1 Samuel 24:2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 26:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Three thousand chosen men - Though they knew that David was but six hundred strong, yet Saul thought it was not safe to pursue such an able general with a less force than that mentioned in the text; and, that he might the better depend on them, they were all elect or picked men out of the whole of his army.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-25This was the last time Saul and David were together. The Ziphites informed Saul again about David's hiding place (see 1 Samuel 23:19–20). David spared Saul's life again, just like he did in the cave at En-gedi (see 1 Samuel 24).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-41Sa 26:1-4. Saul Comes to the Hill of Hachilah against David. 1-2. the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah--This people seem to have thought it impossible for David to escape, and therefore recommended themselves to Saul, by giving him secret information (see on 1Sa 23:19). The knowledge of their treachery makes it appear strange that David should return to his former haunt in their neighborhood; but, perhaps he did it to be near Abigail's possessions, and…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 26:2

• Self-Control
• Ziph

In the dictionaries

• David
• Israel
• Saul
• Desert
• Samuel, Books of
• Ziph (1)
• Ziph

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 26

• 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