I Samuel 26:13-20 · Bible study
1 Samuel 26:13-20 Commentary: David's Distant Cry
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why David stood far from Saul before calling out, and what it reveals about trust, respect for authority, and dependence on God.
Research Summary
- Meaning: David confronts Saul from a safe distance, shaming Abner and appealing for justice while refusing to harm Yahweh's anointed.
- Key words: 'sons of death' (bene mavet), 'anointed' (mashiach), 'inheritance' (nachalah), 'flea' (par'osh), 'partridge' (qore).
- Main debate: Is Saul's persecution from God (divine stirring) or from human slander? David leaves both options open.
- Theological theme: Trust in God's justice and presence even when exiled from the land and community of worship.
- Best use: A model for non-violent confrontation with authority, combining caution, truth, and dependence on God.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
13Then David crossed to the other side and stood atop the mountain at a distance; there was a wide gulf between them.
14And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who calls to the king?” Abner replied.
15So David said to Abner, “You are a man, aren’t you? And who in Israel is your equal? Why then did you not protect your lord the king when one of the people came to destroy him?
16This thing you have done is not good. As surely as the LORD lives, all of you deserve to die, since you did not protect your lord, the LORD’s anointed. Now look around. Where are the king’s spear and water jug that were by his head?”
17Then Saul recognized David’s voice and asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” “It is my voice, my lord and king,” David said.
18And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand?
19Now please, may my lord the king hear the words of his servant: If the LORD has stirred you up against me, then may He accept an offering. But if men have done it, may they be cursed in the presence of the LORD! For today they have driven me away from sharing in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods.’
20So do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to look for a flea, like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
13Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain far away, a great space being between them;
14and David cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Don’t you answer, Abner?” Then Abner answered, “Who are you who calls to the king?”
15David said to Abner, “Aren’t you a man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king.
16This thing isn’t good that you have done. As Yahweh lives, you are worthy to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, Yahweh’s anointed. Now see where the king’s spear is, and the jar of water that was at his head.”
17Saul recognized David’s voice, and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.”
18He said, “Why does my lord pursue his servant? For what have I done? What evil is in my hand?
19Now therefore, please let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is so that Yahweh has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering. But if it is the children of men, they are cursed before Yahweh; for they have driven me out today that I shouldn’t cling to Yahweh’s inheritance, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods!’
20Now therefore, don’t let my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of Yahweh; for the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
KJV King James Version 1769
13Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:
14And 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?
15And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.
16This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster.
17And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.
18And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?
19Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the Lord have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the Lord; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods.
20Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
13Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them;
14and 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?
15And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept watch over thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord.
16This thing is not good that thou hast done. As Jehovah liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept watch over your lord, Jehovah’s anointed. And now see where the king’s spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.
17And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.
18And he said, Wherefore doth my lord pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand?
19Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it be Jehovah that hath stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if it be the children of men, cursed be they before Jehovah; for they have driven me out this day that I should not cleave unto the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve other gods.
20Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of Jehovah: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
13And David passeth over to the other side, and standeth on the top of the hill afar off--great is the place between them;
14and David calleth unto the people, and unto Abner son of Ner, saying, `Dost thou not answer, Abner?' and Abner answereth and saith, `Who art thou who hast called unto the king?'
15And David saith unto Abner, `Art not thou a man? and who is like thee in Israel? but why hast thou not watched over thy lord the king? for one of the people had come in to destroy the king, thy lord.
16Not good is this thing which thou hast done; Jehovah liveth, but ye are sons of death, in that ye have not watched over your lord, over the anointed of Jehovah; and now, see where the king's spear is , and the cruse of water which is at his bolster.'
17And Saul discerneth the voice of David, and saith, `Is this thy voice, my son David?' and David saith, `My voice, my lord, O king!'
18and he saith, `Why is this--my lord is pursuing after his servant? for what have I done, and what is in my hand evil?
19And, now, let, I pray thee, my lord the king hear the words of his servant: if Jehovah hath moved thee against me, let Him accept a present; and if the sons of men--cursed are they before Jehovah, for they have cast me out to-day from being admitted into the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve other gods.
20`And now, let not my blood fall to the earth over-against the face of Jehovah, for the king of Israel hath come out to seek one flea, as one pursueth the partridge in mountains.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
13And David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off; a great space [being] between them.
14And 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?
15And David said to Abner, Art not thou a man? and who is like to thee in Israel? and why hast thou not guarded thy lord the king? for one of the people came in to destroy the king thy lord.
16This thing is not good which thou hast done. As Jehovah liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not guarded your master, Jehovah's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head.
17And Saul knew David's voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.
18And he said, Why does my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in my hand?
19And now, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If Jehovah have moved thee against me, let him accept an oblation; but if the sons of men, cursed be they before Jehovah; for they have driven me out this day from adhering to the inheritance of Jehovah, saying, Go, serve othergods.
20And now, let not my blood fall to the earth far from the face of Jehovah; for the king of Israel is come out to seek a single flea, as when they hunt a partridge on the mountains.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
13And when David was gone over to the other side, and stood on the top of the hill afar off, and a good space was between them,
14David cried to the people, and to Abner, the son of Ner, saying: Wilt thou not answer, Abner? And Abner answering, said: Who art thou, that criest, and disturbest the king?
15And David said to Abner: Art not thou a man? and who is like unto thee in Israel? why then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to kill the king thy lord.
16This thing is not good, that thou hast done: as the Lord liveth, you are the sons of death, who have not kept your master, the Lord's anointed. And now where is the king's spear, and the cup of water, which was at his head?
17And Saul knew David's voice, and said: Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said: It is my voice, my lord the king.
18And he said: Wherefore doth my lord persecute his servant? What have I done? or what evil is there in my hand?
19Now therefore hear, I pray thee, my lord the king, the words of thy servant: If the Lord stir thee up against me, let him accept of sacrifice: but if the sons of men, they are cursed in the sight of the Lord, who have cast me out this day, that I should not dwell in the inheritance of the Lord, saying: Go, serve strange gods.
20And now let not my blood be shed upon the earth before the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as the partridge is hunted in the mountains.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Samuel 26:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that David positioned himself at a safe distance before calling out because he no longer trusted Saul's intentions. The Cambridge Bible notes that the great space between them 'indicates that David trusted Saul less now than upon the former occasion.' Keil and Delitzsch add that David 'reckoned far less now upon any change in Saul's mind' than when he followed him from the cave in chapter 24. David's speech serves two purposes: it shames Abner for failing to guard Yahweh's anointed, and it pleads with Saul to see the injustice of the pursuit. Adam Clarke observes that David's proposal that God 'accept an offering' if he has stirred Saul against him gives Saul a way to seek reconciliation, while the curse on human slanderers lays blame where it belongs. Matthew Henry calls David's tone 'bantering' toward Abner but 'serious' toward the king. Across traditions, the passage is read as a model of confronting authority with truth while maintaining respect for God's appointed leader.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Divine causation view: David says 'if Yahweh has stirred you up against me,' acknowledging that God's hand may be behind Saul's persecution, perhaps as discipline.
- Human causation view: David immediately offers an alternative: 'if it is the children of men, they are cursed.' This suggests he blames slanderers and gives Saul a face-saving way out.
- Diplomatic ambiguity view: David deliberately leaves both options open to avoid accusing Saul directly while still appealing for justice; the vagueness is a rhetorical strategy.
What is clear: David never retaliates against Saul, respects his office as Yahweh's anointed, and entrusts his own vindication to God rather than to violence.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Source of Saul's persecution | Both divine and human causes are possible; David's words are meant to give Saul a way to repent while also condemning false accusers. | Some commentators (e.g., Clarke) read 'if Yahweh has stirred you up' as David suggesting that Saul's persecution is just punishment for sin, while others (e.g., Barnes) see it as David's pastoral way to let Saul seek God's forgiveness without accusing him directly. |
| Meaning of 'let him accept an offering' | The Hebrew minchah refers to a grain or gratitude offering, not a blood sacrifice. | Clarke interprets it as David offering his own life as a sacrifice if he is guilty; others (e.g., Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) think David is proposing that Saul offer a sacrifice to appease God's wrath; Keil argues David is inviting Saul to seek reconciliation with God through an offering. |
| Abner's actual blameworthiness | David's rebuke of Abner is rhetorically effective and highlights how easily Saul could have been killed. | Some see the rebuke as genuine anger at Abner's negligence (Matthew Henry), while others (e.g., Keil) believe David's main goal was to show Saul that he was a more faithful protector than his own general. |
| David's hope for reconciliation | David still addresses Saul as 'my lord the king' and does not take revenge, leaving the door open for peace. | The Cambridge Bible notes that David's great distance suggests he did not truly expect Saul to change; contrast with chapter 24 where David came closer. Some see genuine hope, others see only a tactical appeal. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Saul had encamped with his fighting men on the slope of the hill Hachilah, opposite a valley where David had taken a position on another mountain. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown cite the extraordinary purity and elasticity of the air in Palestine, which allows a speaker on one hill to be clearly heard by people on another hill separated by a deep ravine. This geography explains how David could speak to the army without being in range of attack.
The deep sleep from Yahweh that had fallen on the camp (v.12) was a supernatural condition, not a natural slumber. It allowed David and Abishai to walk into the middle of the encampment and take the spear and water jug. David then used these items as proof that he had been near enough to kill Saul but chose not to. The spear likely stood upright in the ground by Saul's head, and the water jar sat beside it, both royal insignia that confirmed David's claim.
Abner, as the commander of the army, was expected to guard the king personally. Barnes notes that David's taunt to Abner may also hint that David suspected Abner of encouraging Saul's persecution. The Hebrew idiom bene mavet, 'sons of death', is a strong expression meaning 'worthy to die,' as Gill and Cambridge point out.
David's reference to being driven from 'Yahweh's inheritance' (v.19) reflects the ancient belief that God's presence was uniquely located in the land of Israel, especially at the tabernacle. Exile meant being cut off from worship (Wesley). The metaphor of hunting a flea or a partridge, exhausting the quarry by repeatedly flushing it, paints Saul's pursuit as futile and obsessive (Clarke, quoting Harmer).
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants that affect the interpretation of this passage. The Cambridge Bible mentions that the Septuagint omits 'to the king' in verse 14, making Abner's reply simply 'Who are you who calls?' rather than 'Who are you who calls to the king?' The same source also notes that the Septuagint reads 'a partridge' differently in verse 20. Neither variant changes the narrative meaning.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this passage has been read as a model of how to confront civil and religious authority with both truth and respect. Early Christian writers saw David's refusal to harm 'Yahweh's anointed' as a type of Christ's own submission to unjust rulers. In the medieval period, the story was cited in debates about the limits of obedience to earthly kings. Protestant reformers like John Calvin used the passage to argue that even wicked rulers deserve a certain honour because of their office, while still allowing for faithful protest. In modern times, this episode has been employed in discussions of non-violent resistance and the importance of leaving judgment to God. David's lament about being driven from the inheritance of Yahweh has also comforted believers who feel isolated from the community of faith due to circumstances beyond their control.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Wisdom of caution: David stands at a distance because he knows Saul's character. Respect for authority does not mean naivety about danger.
- Courage to confront: David calls out to Abner and the king, exposing their failure while affirming his own innocence. He speaks truth to power without violence.
- Plea for justice and mercy: David leaves the outcome with God: if divine, let an offering be accepted; if human, let the slanderers be cursed. He trusts God to vindicate.
Five-point outline
- Strategic distance (v.13): Why David chose a place where he could be heard but not harmed.
- The rebuke of negligence (vv.14-16): David holds Abner and the army responsible for failing to protect the king.
- Respect for the anointed (v.17): Saul's recognition of David's voice opens the door to dialogue, not retaliation.
- Appeal to God's sovereignty (v.18-19): David acknowledges that even persecution may come from God, yet calls for justice.
- Lament over exile (v.20): Being driven from God's land is David's deepest pain, worse than death.
Illustration hooks
- The safe distance of a phone call: Sometimes truth must be spoken from a place where we cannot be physically or emotionally attacked. David models this.
- Futility of chasing a partridge: Like Saul, we can waste energy pursuing what exhausts us. Sometimes the answer is to stop running and let God handle the outcome.
- Exile from community: A church member who moved away after conflict may resonate with David's cry about being cut off from God's inheritance.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can I speak truth to those in authority when I am afraid of their reaction?
- What does it mean to trust God's justice when I am being treated unfairly?
- How do I balance respect for leaders with protecting myself?
Leading a Discussion
This passage invites us to consider how we confront wrongdoing while protecting ourselves and honouring God's order. David could have stayed silent or attacked. Instead, he chose a third way: speak from a safe distance, expose the fault, and leave the judgment to God.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think David stood 'far away' with a great space between them? What does this tell you about his view of Saul?
- How did David's rebuke of Abner serve to defend David's own innocence? What does this reveal about David's public testimony?
- In verses 18-19, David proposes two possible sources for Saul's hostility. What does each option imply about how David understood his situation?
- The phrase 'sons of death' is a Hebrew idiom. How does language like this shape the seriousness of David's accusation?
- What does David mean by 'driven me out today from sharing in the inheritance of Yahweh'? Why is that worse than death?
- David compares Saul's pursuit to hunting a flea or a partridge. What does this comparison say about the nature of the conflict?
- How can this passage guide us when we are caught between respecting authority and protecting ourselves?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Judges 9:7 | When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice, cried out, and said to them, “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you. |
| I Samuel 24:8 | David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave and cried after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and showed respect. |
| I Samuel 20:31 | For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you will not be established, nor will your kingdom. Therefore now send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die!” |
| I Samuel 24:6 | He said to his men, “Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, Yahweh’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is Yahweh’s anointed.” |
| I Samuel 26:9 | David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against Yahweh’s anointed, and be guiltless?” |
| I Samuel 26:11 | Yahweh forbid that I should stretch out my hand against Yahweh’s anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let’s go.” |
| II Samuel 12:5 | David’s anger burned hot against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this deserves to die! |
| II Samuel 19:28 | For all my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king; yet you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I yet that I should appeal any more to the king?” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights Saul's men being called "valiant" as heavy irony, since they deserve death for neglecting their king. He explains David's offer as either a sacrifice to God or a gratitude-offering for cleansing the land. The partridge-hunting comparison to Arab practice underscores how Saul wore David down by repeatedly forcing him to flee.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes draws a careful distinction between two possible sources of Saul's persecution: either God sent an evil spirit as punishment for Saul's sin, or slanderers stirred up the king with false accusations. David's advice to Saul depends on which it is. A sacrifice could remove the divine affliction, but if human enemies drove David out, they deserve a curse.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator observes that David here asserts his innocence indirectly by challenging Saul to state his reasons for the pursuit, unlike his earlier direct appeal in chapter 24. He notes that David considers banishment from Israel as equivalent to being forced to serve foreign gods, since the Lord reveals Himself only in the promised land. The image of a hunted partridge underscores that the king's campaign against David is beneath his royal dignity.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the geographical detail that the clear air and deep ravines of Palestine allowed David to shout across to Saul's camp from a safe distance. He notes David's pointed sarcasm toward Abner for failing to guard the king, and David's diplomatic prudence in blaming Saul's enmity on malicious advisors rather than on Saul himself. The partridge-hunt analogy from Eastern hunting practices illustrates how Saul relentlessly drove David from hiding, hoping to exhaust and destroy him.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that the similarities between this chapter and chapter 24 do not prove they are the same event. Saul's hatred of David was so deep that David's magnanimous act could suppress it only temporarily, not extinguish it, making a second persecution psychologically credible.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that David first uses sharp irony to rebuke Abner for failing to guard the king, exposing his negligence. Then he turns to Saul with a humble, reasonable appeal, showing the absurdity of a king hunting a single flea like a partridge. David's innocence and the triviality of the chase are laid bare.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley explains the man cried from a distance for safety, yet loud enough to be heard in the quiet night. He interprets the words as an appeal to God's sovereign direction, a proposal to offer sacrifice, and a warning that driving someone from God's land risks forcing them into idolatry, with God as the ultimate judge.