1 Samuel 26:4

4 and David sendeth spies, and knoweth that Saul hath come unto Nachon,

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 And Saul riseth, and goeth down unto the wilderness of Ziph, and with him three thousand men, chosen ones of Israel, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

3 And Saul encampeth in the height of Hachilah, which [is] on the front of the desert, by the way, and David is abiding in the wilderness, and he seeth that Saul hath come after him in to the wilderness;

4 and David sendeth spies, and knoweth that Saul hath come unto Nachon,

5 and David riseth, and cometh in unto the place where Saul hath encamped, and David seeth the place where Saul hath lain, and Abner son of Ner, head of his host, and Saul is lying in the path, and the people are encamping round about him.

6 And David answereth and saith unto Ahimelech the Hittite, and unto Abishai son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, `Who doth go down with me unto Saul, unto the camp?' and Abishai saith, `I -- I go down with thee.'