1 Samuel 26:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then Sha'ul set out and went down to the Zif Desert with three thousand men chosen from Isra'el, to search for David in the Zif Desert.

Berean Standard Bible:

So Saul, accompanied by three thousand chosen men of Israel, went down to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there.

American Standard Version:

Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then Saul^{H7586} arose^{H6965}, and went down^{H3381} to the wilderness^{H4057} of Ziph^{H2128}, having three^{H7969} thousand^{H505} chosen^{H977} men^{H376} of Israel^{H3478} with him, to seek^{H1245} David^{H1732} in the wilderness^{H4057} of Ziph^{H2128}.

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 26:2

1 Samuel 26:2 is set within the broader narrative of the tension and conflict between King Saul and David, who was anointed by Samuel to be Saul's successor. This verse captures a specific moment in the ongoing pursuit of David by Saul, who has become jealous and fearful of David's growing popularity and God's clear favor towards him.

In this verse, Saul is depicted leading a formidable force of 3,000 chosen men into the wilderness of Ziph, an area southeast of Jerusalem. This military expedition is not for national defense or conquest, but for the personal vendetta of capturing or killing David, who has been living as a fugitive in the Judean wilderness. The number of men Saul takes with him underscores the gravity of the situation and the resources he is willing to expend to eliminate David, whom he perceives as a threat to his throne.

The historical context of this verse reflects the turbulent transition of power in Israel's early monarchy. Saul's obsession with David illustrates the theme of divine sovereignty versus human resistance, as Saul's efforts to thwart God's plan for David's kingship are ultimately futile. Additionally, the verse highlights themes of loyalty and betrayal, as some of Saul's own people support David against their king. The wilderness setting also serves as a backdrop for the theme of testing and refinement, as David's character is shaped through adversity and his unwavering trust in God's protection and promise of kingship.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7586
   There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁאוּל
   Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
   Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
   Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6965
   There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוּם
   Transliteration: qûwm
   Pronunciation: koom
   Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
   
3. Strong's Number: H3381
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרַד
   Transliteration: yârad
   Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4057
   There are 257 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִדְבָּר
   Transliteration: midbâr
   Pronunciation: mid-bawr'
   Description: from דָבַר in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs); desert, south, speech, wilderness.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2128
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זִיף
   Transliteration: Zîyph
   Pronunciation: zeef
   Description: from the same as זֶפֶת; flowing; Ziph, the name of a place in Palestine; also of an Israelite; Ziph.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7969
   There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: shâlôwsh
   Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
   Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ.
   
7. Strong's Number: H505
   There are 496 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶלֶף
   Transliteration: ʼeleph
   Pronunciation: eh'-lef
   Description: prop, the same as אֶלֶף; hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand; thousand.
   
8. Strong's Number: H977
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּחַר
   Transliteration: bâchar
   Pronunciation: baw-khar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.
   
9. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3478
    There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
    Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
    Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
    Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
    
11. Strong's Number: H1245
    There are 215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּקַשׁ
    Transliteration: bâqash
    Pronunciation: baw-kash'
    Description: a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).
    
12. Strong's Number: H1732
    There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דָּוִד
    Transliteration: Dâvid
    Pronunciation: daw-veed'
    Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David.