1 Samuel 26:13

13 Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off; a great space [being] 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 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth my hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that [is] at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they departed, and no man saw [it], nor knew [it], neither awaked: for they [were] all asleep: because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them.

13 Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off; a great space [being] between them:

14 And David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who [art] thou [that] criest to the king?

15 And David said to Abner, [Art] not thou a [valiant] man? and who [is] like to thee in Israel? why then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came in one of the people to destroy the king thy lord.