Tree of Life Version
1 Samuel 26:20
20So now, let not my blood fall to the ground, away from the presence of Adonai. For the king of Israel has come out to search for but a single flea, just as one hunts for a partridge in the mountains.”
1 Samuel 26:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
- New International Version (NIV)Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea—as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains."
- New King James Version (NKJV)So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
Context of 1 Samuel 26:20
18then added, “Yet why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand? 19Now please, let my lord the king listen to the words of his servant. If Adonai has stirred you up against me, let Him accept an offering. But if men have done so, then cursed are they before Adonai, because they have now driven me out that I would not cling to Adonai’s inheritance, saying: ‘Go, worship other gods.’ So now, let not my blood fall to the ground, away from the presence of Adonai. For the king of Israel has come out to search for but a single flea, just as one hunts for a partridge in the mountains.” 21Then Saul replied, “I have sinned! Return, David my son, for I will no longer do you harm, since my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I’ve played the fool and erred so seriously.” 22David then answered and said, “There is the king’s spear! Let one of the young men cross over and take it.
Read all of 1 Samuel 261 Samuel 26:20 word by word
וְעַתָּ֗ה אַל־יִפֹּ֤ל דָּֽמִי֙ אַ֔רְצָה מִנֶּ֖גֶד פְּנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה כִּֽי־יָצָ֞א מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לְבַקֵּשׁ֙ אֶת־פַּרְעֹ֣שׁ אֶחָ֔ד כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר יִרְדֹּ֥ף הַקֹּרֵ֖א בֶּהָרִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Now therefore, let not my bloodדָּםdâm · bloodH1818
- fallנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307
- to the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: soilH776
- before the faceפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
- of the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- for the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
- of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
- is come outיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
- to seekבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
- aאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259
- fleaפַּרְעֹשׁpar‛ôsh · fleaH6550
- as when one doth huntרָדַףrâdaph · to pursueH7291
- a partridgeקֹרֵאqôrê' · partridgeH7124
- in the mountainsהַרhar · mountain: mountH2022
Cross-references for 1 Samuel 26:20
- 1 Samuel 2:9He guards the steps of His godly ones, but the wicked are silenced in darkness. For one does not prevail by might.
- 1 Samuel 25:29If anyone rises to pursue you and seek your life, then let my lord’s life be bound up in the bundle of the living—with Adonai your God. But let the soul of your enemies be hurled away as from the hollow of a sling.
- 1 Samuel 24:14Whom has the king of Israel come after? Who are you chasing? A dead dog? A single flea?
- Matthew 26:47While Yeshua was still speaking, here came Judah, one of the Twelve, and with him a big crowd with swords and clubs, from the ruling kohanim and elders of the people.
Commentaries on 1 Samuel 26:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20As when one doth hunt a partridge - It is worthy of remark that the Arabs, observing that partridges, being put up several times, soon become so weary as not to be able to fly; they in this manner hunt them upon the mountains, till at last they can knock them down with their clubs. It was in this manner that Saul hunted David, coming hastily upon him, and putting him up from time to time, in hopes that he should at length, by frequent repetitions of it…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-20Verses 13-20 David reasoned seriously and affectionately with Saul. Those who forbid our attendance on God's ordinances, do what they can to estrange us from God, and to make us heathens. We are to reckon that which exposes us to sin the greatest injury that can be done us. If the Lord stirred thee up against me, either in displeasure to me, taking this way to punish me for my sins against him, or in displeasure to thee, if it be the effect of that evil…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20a flea: Compare 1 Samuel 24:14.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-2013-20. Then David ... stood on the top of an hill afar off ... and cried to the people--(See on Jud 9:7). The extraordinary purity and elasticity of the air in Palestine enable words to be distinctly heard that are addressed by a speaker from the top of one hill to people on that of another, from which it is separated by a deep intervening ravine. Hostile parties can thus speak to each other, while completely beyond the reach of each other's attack. It…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Samuel 26:20
In the dictionaries
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
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