1 Samuel 23:26

And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

And Saul {H7586} went {H3212} on this side {H6654} of the mountain {H2022}, and David {H1732} and his men {H582} on that side {H6654} of the mountain {H2022}: and David {H1732} made haste {H2648} to get away {H3212} for fear {H6440} of Saul {H7586}; for Saul {H7586} and his men {H582} compassed {H5849} David {H1732} and his men {H582} round about {H5849} to take {H8610} them.

Sha'ul went along one side of the mountain, while David and his men went along the other. David was hurrying to get away from Sha'ul, while Sha'ul and his men were trying to surround David and his men in order to capture them.

Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them.

And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

Commentary

1 Samuel 23:26 KJV vividly portrays a critical moment in David's life, highlighting the extreme danger he faced during King Saul's relentless pursuit. This verse sets the scene for a dramatic confrontation, emphasizing the physical proximity and strategic encirclement by Saul's forces, which pushed David and his men to the precipice of capture.

Context

This verse is situated during one of the most perilous periods of David's life, as he is relentlessly hunted by King Saul. Saul, consumed by jealousy and fear that David would usurp his throne, had mobilized his army to track down David in the wilderness regions of Judah. Specifically, this scene unfolds in the Wilderness of Ziph, where the Ziphites had betrayed David's hiding place to Saul. The narrative emphasizes the literal closing in of Saul's forces, creating an immediate and life-threatening predicament for David and his loyal followers.

Key Themes

  • Imminent Danger and Escape: The verse powerfully conveys the extreme danger David faced, with Saul's men literally "compassing" (surrounding) them. David's "haste to get away" underscores the urgency and desperation of the moment, highlighting his reliance on swift movement for survival.
  • Saul's Obsession: It further illustrates the depth of Saul's irrational and relentless pursuit of David, showcasing his singular focus on eliminating his perceived rival rather than focusing on the kingdom's true enemies. This obsession began early, as seen after David's victory over Goliath.
  • Human Vulnerability: Despite being divinely anointed and promised the throne, David is portrayed as a human being experiencing genuine fear and vulnerability in the face of overwhelming odds. This highlights the reality of trusting God even when circumstances are dire.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "compassed" is savav (ืกึธื‘ึทื‘), meaning to surround, encircle, or go about. This emphasizes the complete entrapment David and his men faced, leaving them with seemingly no escape route. The phrase "made haste" comes from the Hebrew chapaz (ื—ึธืคึทื–), which conveys a strong sense of urgency, panic, or even trembling, accurately reflecting David's desperate attempt to escape the tightening net.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Samuel 23:26 serves as a powerful reminder that even those chosen by God can face moments of extreme pressure and seemingly insurmountable odds. It speaks to:

  • Trust in God Amidst Fear: Like David, we may experience genuine fear when surrounded by life's challenges, whether they are physical threats, financial crises, or relational struggles. This verse implicitly sets the stage for understanding that God's deliverance often comes at the last moment, as seen in the very next verse (1 Samuel 23:27), where a sudden diversion saves David.
  • Perseverance: David's continued effort to escape, even when cornered, exemplifies perseverance. It encourages us to keep moving and seeking God's way out of difficult situations.
  • God's Sovereignty: While this verse highlights the immediate danger, it also sets the scene for God's sovereign intervention, reminding us that even when human efforts seem futile, God remains in control of the outcome, orchestrating events for His purposes.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 17:9 (5 votes)

    From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about.

  • 2 Samuel 17:21 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.

  • 2 Samuel 17:22 (3 votes)

    ยถ Then David arose, and all the people that [were] with him, and they passed over Jordan: by the morning light there lacked not one of them that was not gone over Jordan.

  • Revelation 20:9 (3 votes)

    And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:12 (3 votes)

    O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes [are] upon thee.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:8 (3 votes)

    For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

  • Psalms 118:11 (3 votes)

    They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.