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

After Saul returned from fighting the Philistines, he was told that David had gone into the wilderness of En-gedi. 2So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats. 3At the place where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. But as it happened, David and his men were hiding farther back in that very 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• And it came to pass, when Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• was returnedשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• from followingאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּיpelishtîy · PhilistineH6430
• that it was toldנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
• him, sayingאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Behold, Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• in the wildernessמִדְבָּרmidbâr · wildernessH4057
• of En–gediעֵין גֶּ֫דִי‛êyn gedîy · EngediH5872

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 24:1

• 1 Samuel 23:28So Saul quit chasing David and returned to fight the Philistines. Ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the Rock of Escape.
• 1 Samuel 23:19But now the men of Ziph went to Saul in Gibeah and betrayed David to him. “We know where David is hiding,” they said. “He is in the strongholds of Horesh on the hill of Hakilah, which is in the southern part of Jeshimon.
• Proverbs 25:5Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.
• Proverbs 29:12If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked.
• Ezekiel 22:9People accuse others falsely and send them to their death. You are filled with idol worshipers and people who do obscene things.
• Hosea 7:3“The people entertain the king with their wickedness, and the princes laugh at their lies.
• 1 Samuel 23:29David then went to live in the strongholds of En-gedi.

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