1 Samuel 26:4

4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Sha'ul was come of a certainty.

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 Then Sha'ul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Zif, having three thousand chosen men of Yisra'el with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Zif.

3 Sha'ul encamped in the hill of Hakhilah, which is before the desert, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Sha'ul came after him into the wilderness.

4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Sha'ul was come of a certainty.

5 David arose, and came to the place where Sha'ul had encamped; and David saw the place where Sha'ul lay, and Aviner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Sha'ul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped round about him.

6 Then answered David and said to Achimelekh the Hittite, and to Avishai the son of Tzeru'yah, brother to Yo'av, saying, Who will go down with me to Sha'ul to the camp? Avishai said, I will go down with you.