1 Samuel 26:4

4 So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.

1 Samuel 26:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 26:4

David therefore sent out spies
To observe if he was coming or come, and where he was, that he might not be surprised by him; for though David knew the Lord was and would be his protection, he thought proper to be upon his guard, and to make use of means for his safety:

and understood that Saul was come in very deed;
that he was most certainly come, and come to some certain place; which he himself went to reconnoitre, as in ( 1 Samuel 26:5 ) .

1 Samuel 26:4 In-Context

2 So Saul, accompanied by 3,000 of the choice men of Israel, went to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there.

3 Saul camped beside the road at the hill of Hachilah opposite Jeshimon. David was living in the wilderness and discovered Saul had come there after him.

4 So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.

5 Immediately, David went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw the place where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the inner circle of the camp with the troops camped around him.

6 Then David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, "Who will go with me into the camp to Saul?" "I'll go with you," answered Abishai.