1 Samuel 26:5
1 Samuel 26:5 in Multiple Translations
Then David set out and 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.
¶ And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him.
And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped round about him.
And David got up and came to the place where Saul's tents were: and David had a view of the place where Saul was sleeping with Abner, the son of Ner, the captain of his army: and Saul was sleeping inside the ring of carts, and the tents of the people were all round him.
One night David got up and went over to Saul's camp and saw where Saul was sleeping, along with Abner, son of Ner, the army commander. Saul was lying in the middle of the camp with his men all around him.
Then Dauid arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched, and when Dauid beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner the sonne of Ner which was his chiefe captaine, (for Saul lay in the fort, and the people pitched round about him)
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.
Then David arose and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David saw the place where Saul lay, with Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army. Saul lay within the place of the wagons, and the people were encamped around him.
And David arose, and came to the place where Saul had encamped; and David beheld the place where Saul lay, and Abner, the son of Ner, the captain of his host: and Saul lay in the trench, and the people pitched around him.
And David arose secretly, and came to the place where Saul was: and when he had beheld the place, wherein Saul slept, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his army, and Saul sleeping in a tent, and the rest of the multitude round about him,
Then that evening David went to the place where Saul had set up his tent. From a distance he saw where Saul and his army commander, Abner, were sleeping. Saul was sleeping with all his army sleeping around him.
That night David went close to Saul’s camp. From his hiding place he saw Saul and the boss soldier Abner, Ner’s son. They slept in the middle. The other soldiers all slept around them.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 26:5
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1 Samuel 26:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 26:5
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 26:5
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 26:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 26:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 26:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:5
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:5
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 26:5
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:5
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 26:5
Context — David Again Spares Saul
5Then David set out and 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.
6And David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?” “I will go with you,” answered Abishai. 7That night David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the troops were lying around him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 17:55 | As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 17:20 | So David got up early in the morning, left the flock with a keeper, loaded up, and set out as Jesse had instructed him. He reached the camp as the army was marching out to its position and shouting the battle cry. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 14:50–51 | His wife’s name was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner, the son of Saul’s uncle Ner. Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 9:39 | Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal. |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 3:33–38 | And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool? Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. As a man falls before the wicked, so also you fell.” And all the people wept over him even more. Then all the people came and urged David to eat something while it was still day, but David took an oath, saying, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!” All the people took note and were pleased. In fact, everything the king did pleased them. So on that day all the troops and all Israel were convinced that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner. Then the king said to his servants, “Do you not realize that a great prince has fallen today in Israel? |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 3:27 | When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel. |
| 7 | 1 Samuel 9:1 | Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. |
| 8 | 2 Samuel 3:7–8 | Meanwhile, Saul had a concubine named Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ish-bosheth questioned Abner, “Why did you sleep with my father’s concubine?” Abner was furious over Ish-bosheth’s accusation. “Am I the head of a dog that belongs to Judah?” he asked. “All this time I have been loyal to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends. I have not delivered you into the hand of David, but now you accuse me of wrongdoing with this woman! |
| 9 | 2 Samuel 2:8–12 | Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel. Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. And the length of time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. |
1 Samuel 26:5 Summary
[In 1 Samuel 26:5, David goes to the place where Saul has camped to gather information and assess the situation, which shows his cautious and strategic approach. This verse helps us understand that even in uncertain situations, we can trust in God's sovereignty and providence, as David did. As it says in Psalm 23:4, 'Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.' By trusting in God and seeking to understand the situation, we can navigate challenging circumstances with confidence and peace.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did David go to the place where Saul had camped?
David went to the place where Saul had camped to gather information and assess the situation, as seen in 1 Samuel 26:5, which shows his cautious and strategic approach, similar to what is advised in Proverbs 24:6.
Who was Abner and what was his role in Saul's army?
Abner was the general of Saul's army, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 26:5, and he played a significant role in Saul's military campaigns, which is also referenced in 1 Samuel 14:50 and 1 Samuel 17:55.
What can we learn from David's actions in this verse about trusting God?
David's actions in 1 Samuel 26:5 demonstrate his trust in God's sovereignty and providence, as he seeks to understand the situation before acting, which is in line with the teachings of Psalm 37:3-7 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of David's relationship with Saul?
This verse is part of the ongoing narrative of David's interactions with Saul, as seen in 1 Samuel 24:1-22 and 1 Samuel 26:1-25, which highlights the complexities of their relationship and David's consistent trust in God's plan, as expressed in 1 Samuel 24:12 and 1 Samuel 26:10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply David's example of caution and trust in my own life, especially in situations where I feel threatened or uncertain?
- How can I balance the need for strategic planning with the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, as seen in David's actions in this verse?
- What does this verse reveal about David's character and his commitment to following God, and how can I learn from his example in my own walk with God?
- In what ways can I seek to understand the situation before acting, as David did in this verse, and how can I trust God to guide me in my decision-making processes?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 26:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 26:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:5
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:5
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:5
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 26:5
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 26:5
Sermons on 1 Samuel 26:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Witness Unto Jesus by G.W. North | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a life dedicated to God. He highlights the book of Acts as a testament to the life of the early church and the signi |
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Problems Are God's Opportunities by Reuben Walter | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of God's glory and how it doesn't take a long time to understand it. He refers to a victory song sung by David in 2 Samuel, highli |
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The Defeated Father by Emanuel Esh | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of defeat in our homes and provides guidance on how to overcome it. He shares his own experience of raising four daughters and how t |



