1 Samuel 26:13

13 David crossed to the other side and climbed to the top of the distant ridge, leaving a considerable space between them.

1 Samuel 26:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 26:13

Then David went over to the other side
To a hill on the other side, opposite to Hachilah, where Saul lay encamped; or "passed over the passage" ^F17, the valley that lay between the two hills, and perhaps passed over a brook that ran in the valley, which is not unusual; so Josephus ^F18 says, that he went over a brook and came to the top of a mountain:

and stood on the top of an hill afar off;
he chose the top of an hill, that his voice might be heard at a distance, as it might in a clear air, and still night; and to be afar off, that he might the better make his escape, should an attempt be made to pursue him:

a great space [being] between them;
a large valley lying between the two hills.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (rbeh rbeyw) "et transivit transitum", Montanus.
F18 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 13. sect. 9.

1 Samuel 26:13 In-Context

11 ADONAI forbid that I should raise my hand against ADONAI's anointed! But now, we'll take the spear by his head and the jug of water, and get out of here."

12 So David took the spear and the water jug from Sha'ul's head and got away. Nobody saw or knew about it, and no one awoke, because they were all asleep - a deep sleep from ADONAI had fallen over them.

13 David crossed to the other side and climbed to the top of the distant ridge, leaving a considerable space between them.

14 Then David called out to the troops and to Avner the son of Ner. "Avner! Aren't you going to answer?" Avner answered, "Who are you, calling to the king?"

15 David said to Avner, "Aren't you the brave one! Who is there in Isra'el to compare with you? So why haven't you kept watch over your lord the king? Someone came in to kill the king, your lord!