1 Samuel 26 שְׁמוּאֵל א פרק כ״ו

Masoretic Text, word by word with transliteration and English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open 1 Samuel 26 in the interlinear reader for roots and notes, or listen to it read aloud in Hebrew.

1. 1

   וַיָּבֹאוּvay/ya/VO/uand they cameהַזִּפִיםhaz/Zi/FIMthe Ziphitesאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulהַגִּבְעָתָהhag/Giv/A/tato Gibeahלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingהֲלוֹאha/LOis notדָוִדDa/VIDDavidמִסְתַּתֵּרmis/tat/TERhidingבְּגִבְעַתbe/giv/ATon the hill ofהַחֲכִילָהHa/cha/khi/LAHachilahעַלalonפְּנֵיpe/NEthe face ofהַיְשִׁימֹן׃Hay/shi/MONJeshimon

   And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?

2. 2

   וַיָּקׇםvay/YA/komand aroseשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוַיֵּרֶדvay/YE/redand went downאֶל־מִדְבַּר־זִיףel-Mid/BAR-zifto the wilderness of Ziphוְאִתּוֹve/it/TOand with himשְׁלֹשֶׁת־אֲלָפִיםshe/LO/shet-a/la/FIMthree thousandאִישׁishmenבְּחוּרֵיbe/chu/REchosen men ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsraelלְבַקֵּשׁle/vak/KESHto seekאֶת־דָּוִדet-Da/VIDDavidבְּמִדְבַּר־זִיף׃be/Mid/BAR-zifin the wilderness of Ziph

   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.

3. 3

   וַיִּחַןvay/YI/chanand encampedשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulבְּגִבְעַתbe/giv/ATon the hill ofהַחֲכִילָהHa/cha/khi/LAHachilahאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhich isעַל־פְּנֵיal-pe/NEbeforeהַיְשִׁימֹןHay/shi/MONJeshimonעַל־הַדָּרֶךְal-had/DA/rekhby the wayוְדָוִדve/Da/VIDand Davidיֹשֵׁבyo/SHEVstayedבַּמִּדְבָּרbam/mid/BARin the wildernessוַיַּרְאvay/YARand sawכִּיkithatבָאvahad comeשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאַחֲרָיוa/cha/RAYVafter himהַמִּדְבָּרָה׃ham/mid/BA/rainto the wilderness

   And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.

4. 4

   וַיִּשְׁלַחvay/yish/LACHand sentדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidמְרַגְּלִיםme/rag/ge/LIMspiesוַיֵּדַעvay/YE/daand knewכִּי־בָאki-vathat had comeשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶל־נָכוֹן׃el-na/KHONfor certain

   David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.

5. 5

   וַיָּקׇםvay/YA/komand aroseדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidוַיָּבֹאvay/ya/VOand cameאֶל־הַמָּקוֹםel-ham/ma/KOMto the placeאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhereחָנָה־שָׁםcha/NA-shamhad encampedשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוַיַּרְאvay/YARand sawדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶת־הַמָּקוֹםet-ham/ma/KOMthe placeאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhereשָׁכַב־שָׁםsha/KHAV-shamlayשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוְאַבְנֵרve/Av/NERand Abnerבֶּן־נֵרben-Nerthe son of Nerשַׂר־צְבָאוֹsar-tse/va/Othe commander of his armyוְשָׁאוּלve/Sha/ULand Saulשֹׁכֵבsho/KHEVwas lyingבַּמַּעְגָּלbam/ma/GALwithin the encampmentוְהָעָםve/ha/AMand the peopleחֹנִיםcho/NIMwere encampedסְבִיבֹתָו׃se/vi/vo/TAVround about 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.

6. 6

   וַיַּעַןvay/YA/anthen answeredדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאֶל־אֲחִימֶלֶךְel-A/chi/ME/lekhto Ahimelechהַחִתִּיha/Chit/TIthe Hittiteוְאֶל־אֲבִישַׁיve/EL-a/vi/SHAYand Abishaiבֶּן־צְרוּיָהben-Tse/ru/YAthe son of Zeruiahאֲחִיa/CHIthe brother ofיוֹאָבYo/AVJoabלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingמִי־יֵרֵדmi-ye/REDwho will go downאִתִּיit/TIwith meאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulאֶל־הַמַּחֲנֶהel-ham/ma/cha/NEto the campוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאֲבִישַׁיA/vi/SHAYAbishaiאֲנִיa/NIIאֵרֵדe/REDwill go downעִמָּךְ׃im/MAKHwith you

   Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

7. 7

   וַיָּבֹאvay/ya/VOand cameדָוִדDa/VIDDavidוַאֲבִישַׁיva/A/vi/SHAYand Abishaiאֶל־הָעָםel-ha/AMto the peopleלַיְלָהLAY/laby nightוְהִנֵּהve/hin/NEand beholdשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulשֹׁכֵבsho/KHEVlayיָשֵׁןya/SHENsleepingבַּמַּעְגָּלbam/ma/GALwithin the encampmentוַחֲנִיתוֹva/cha/ni/TOand his spearמְעוּכָה־בָאָרֶץme/u/KHA-va/A/retsstuck in the groundמְרַאֲשֹׁתָוme/ra/a/sho/TAVat his headוְאַבְנֵרve/Av/NERand Abnerוְהָעָםve/ha/AMand the peopleשֹׁכְבִיםshokh/VIMlayסְבִיבֹתָו׃se/vi/vo/TAVround about him

   So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

8. 8

   וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאֲבִישַׁיA/vi/SHAYAbishaiאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto Davidסִגַּרsig/GARhas deliveredאֱלֹהִיםe/lo/HIMGodהַיּוֹםhay/YOMtodayאֶת־אוֹיִבְךָet-o/yiv/KHAyour enemyבְּיָדֶךָbe/ya/DE/khainto your handוְעַתָּהve/at/TAand nowאַכֶּנּוּak/KEN/nulet me strike himנָאnaI prayבַּחֲנִיתba/cha/NITwith the spearוּבָאָרֶץu/va/A/retsto the groundפַּעַםPA/amwith strokeאַחַתa/CHAToneוְלֹאve/LOand notאֶשְׁנֶהesh/NEI will repeatלוֹ׃loto him

   Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

9. 9

   וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶל־אֲבִישַׁיel-A/vi/SHAYto Abishaiאַל־תַּשְׁחִיתֵהוּal-tash/chi/TE/hudo not destroy himכִּיkiforמִיmiwhoשָׁלַחsha/LACHcan put forthיָדוֹya/DOhis handבִּמְשִׁיחַbim/SHI/achagainst the anointed ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDוְנִקָּה׃ve/nik/KAand be guiltless

   And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?

10. 10

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidחַי־יְהֹוָהchay-Adonaias the LORD livesכִּיkisurelyאִם־יְהֹוָהim-Adonaithe LORDיִגֳּפֶנּוּyig/go/FEN/nushall strike himאוֹ־יוֹמוֹo-yo/MOor his dayיָבוֹאya/VOshall comeוָמֵתva/METand he will dieאוֹoorבַמִּלְחָמָהvam/mil/cha/MAin the battleיֵרֵדye/REDhe shall go downוְנִסְפָּה׃ve/nis/PAand perish

    David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

11. 11

    חָלִילָהcha/LI/lafar be itלִּיlifrom meמֵיְהֹוָהme-Adonaibefore the LORDמִשְּׁלֹחַmish/she/LO/achto put forthיָדִיya/DImy handבִּמְשִׁיחַbim/SHI/achagainst the anointed ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDוְעַתָּהve/at/TAand nowקַח־נָאkach-natake nowאֶת־הַחֲנִיתet-ha/cha/NITthe spearאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthat isמְרַאֲשֹׁתָוme/ra/a/sho/TAVat his headוְאֶת־צַפַּחַתve/ET-tsap/PA/chatand the jar ofהַמַּיִםham/MA/yimwaterוְנֵלְכָה־לָּנוּ׃ve/nel/KHA-LA/nuand let us go

    The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.

12. 12

    וַיִּקַּחvay/yik/KACHand tookדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶת־הַחֲנִיתet-ha/cha/NITthe spearוְאֶת־צַפַּחַתve/ET-tsap/PA/chatand the jar ofהַמַּיִםham/MA/yimwaterמֵרַאֲשֹׁתֵיme/ra/a/sho/TEfrom beside the head ofשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוַיֵּלְכוּvay/yel/KHUand they wentלָהֶםla/HEMawayוְאֵיןve/ENand no oneרֹאֶהro/Esaw itוְאֵיןve/ENnorיוֹדֵעַyo/DE/aknew itוְאֵיןve/ENnorמֵקִיץme/KITSawokeכִּיkiforכֻלָּםkhul/LAMall of themיְשֵׁנִיםye/she/NIMwere asleepכִּיkiforתַּרְדֵּמַתtar/de/MATa deep sleep fromיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDנָפְלָהna/fe/LAhad fallenעֲלֵיהֶם׃a/le/HEMupon them

    So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.

13. 13

    וַיַּעֲבֹרvay/ya/a/VORthen crossed overדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidהָעֵבֶרha/E/verto the other sideוַיַּעֲמֹדvay/ya/a/MODand stoodעַל־רֹאשׁ־הָהָרal-rosh-ha/HARon the top of the hillמֵרָחֹקme/ra/CHOKafar offרַבrava greatהַמָּקוֹםham/ma/KOMspaceבֵּינֵיהֶם׃be/ne/HEMbetween them

    Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:

14. 14

    וַיִּקְרָאvay/yik/RAand calledדָוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶל־הָעָםel-ha/AMto the peopleוְאֶל־אַבְנֵרve/EL-av/NERand to Abnerבֶּן־נֵרben-Nerthe son of Nerלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingהֲלוֹאha/LOwill notתַעֲנֶהta/a/NEyou answerאַבְנֵרAv/NERAbnerוַיַּעַןvay/YA/anand he answeredאַבְנֵרAv/NERAbnerוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidמִיmiwho areאַתָּהat/TAyouקָרָאתָka/RA/tawho callאֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ׃el-ham/ME/lekhto the king

    And 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?

15. 15

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶל־אַבְנֵרel-Av/NERto Abnerהֲלוֹא־אִישׁha/LO-ishare you not a manאַתָּהat/TAyouוּמִיu/MIand who isכָמוֹךָkha/MO/khalike youבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלbe/Yis/ra/ELin Israelוְלָמָּהve/LAM/maand whyלֹאlonotשָׁמַרְתָּsha/MAR/taguardedאֶל־אֲדֹנֶיךָel-a/do/NE/khayour lordהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingכִּי־בָאki-vafor cameאַחַדa/CHADone ofהָעָםha/AMthe peopleלְהַשְׁחִיתle/hash/CHITto destroyאֶת־הַמֶּלֶךְet-ham/ME/lekhthe kingאֲדֹנֶיךָ׃a/do/NE/khayour lord

    And 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.

16. 16

    לֹא־טוֹבlo-tovis not goodהַדָּבָרhad/da/VARthe thingהַזֶּהhaz/ZEthisאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatעָשִׂיתָa/SI/tayou have doneחַי־יְהֹוָהchay-Adonaias the LORD livesכִּיkisurelyבְנֵי־מָוֶתve/NE-MA/vetsons of deathאַתֶּםat/TEMare youאֲשֶׁרa/SHERbecauseלֹא־שְׁמַרְתֶּםlo-she/mar/TEMyou have not guardedעַל־אֲדֹנֵיכֶםal-a/do/ne/KHEMyour lordעַל־מְשִׁיחַal-me/SHI/achthe anointed ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDוְעַתָּהve/at/TAand nowרְאֵהre/Eseeאֵי־חֲנִיתe-cha/NITwhere is the spear ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוְאֶת־צַפַּחַתve/ET-tsap/PA/chatand the jar ofהַמַּיִםham/MA/yimwaterאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthat wasמְרַאֲשֹׁתָו׃me/ra/a/sho/TAVat his head

    This 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.

17. 17

    וַיַּכֵּרvay/yak/KERand recognizedשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶת־קוֹלet-kolthe voice ofדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidהֲקוֹלְךָha/kol/KHAis your voiceזֶהzethisבְּנִיbe/NImy sonדָוִדDa/VIDDavidוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidקוֹלִיko/LIit is my voiceאֲדֹנִיa/do/NImy lordהַמֶּלֶךְ׃ham/ME/lekhO king

    And 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.

18. 18

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלָמָּהLAM/mawhyזֶּהzethisאֲדֹנִיa/do/NImy lordרֹדֵףro/DEFis pursuingאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterעַבְדּוֹav/DOhis servantכִּיkiforמֶהmewhatעָשִׂיתִיa/SI/tihave I doneוּמַה־בְּיָדִיu/MA-be/ya/DIor what is in my handרָעָה׃ra/Aevil

    And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

19. 19

    וְעַתָּהve/at/TAand nowיִשְׁמַע־נָאyish/MA-nalet hear I prayאֲדֹנִיa/do/NImy lordהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאֵת־דִּבְרֵיet-div/REthe words ofעַבְדּוֹav/DOhis servantאִם־יְהֹוָהim-Adonaiif the LORDהֱסִיתְךָhe/si/te/KHAhas stirred you upבִיviagainst meיָרַחya/RACHlet Him smellמִנְחָהmin/CHAan offeringוְאִםve/IMbut ifבְּנֵיbe/NEthe children ofהָאָדָםha/a/DAMmenאֲרוּרִיםa/ru/RIMcursed beהֵםhemtheyלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDכִּי־גֵרְשׁוּנִיki-ger/SHU/nifor they have driven me outהַיּוֹםhay/YOMtodayמֵהִסְתַּפֵּחַme/his/tap/PE/achfrom sharingבְּנַחֲלַתbe/na/cha/LATin the inheritance ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingלֵךְlekhgoעֲבֹדa/VODserveאֱלֹהִים־אֲחֵרִים׃e/lo/HIM-a/che/RIMother gods

    Now 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.

20. 20

    וְעַתָּהve/at/TAand nowאַל־יִפֹּלal-yip/POLlet not fallדָּמִיda/MImy bloodאַרְצָהAR/tsato the groundמִנֶּגֶדmin/NE/gedaway fromפְּנֵיpe/NEthe presence ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDכִּי־יָצָאki-ya/TSAfor has come outמֶלֶךְME/lekhthe king ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsraelלְבַקֵּשׁle/vak/KESHto seekאֶת־פַּרְעֹשׁet-par/OSHa fleaאֶחָדe/CHADoneכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERasיִרְדֹּףyir/DOFone huntsהַקֹּרֵאhak/ko/REa partridgeבֶּהָרִים׃be/ha/RIMin the mountains

    Now 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.

21. 21

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulחָטָאתִיcha/TA/tiI have sinnedשׁוּבshuvreturnבְּנִי־דָוִדbe/NI-da/VIDmy son Davidכִּיkiforלֹא־אָרַעlo-a/RAI will not harmלְךָle/KHAyouעוֹדodagainתַּחַתTA/chatbecauseאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatיָקְרָהya/ke/RAwas preciousנַפְשִׁיnaf/SHImy lifeבְּעֵינֶיךָbe/e/NE/khain your eyesהַיּוֹםhay/YOMdayהַזֶּהhaz/ZEthisהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdהִסְכַּלְתִּיhis/KAL/tiI have acted foolishlyוָאֶשְׁגֶּהva/esh/GEand have erredהַרְבֵּהhar/BEgreatlyמְאֹד׃me/ODvery

    Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

22. 22

    וַיַּעַןvay/YA/anand answeredדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidהִנֵּהhin/NEbehold(החנית)hachanayat[חֲנִית]cha/NITthe spear ofהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingוְיַעֲבֹרve/ya/a/VORand let come overאֶחָדe/CHADoneמֵהַנְּעָרִיםme/han/ne/a/RIMof the young menוְיִקָּחֶהָ׃ve/yik/ka/CHE/haand fetch it

    And David answered and said, Behold the king's spear! and let one of the young men come over and fetch it.

23. 23

    וַיהֹוָהve-Adonaiand the LORDיָשִׁיבya/SHIVwill repayלָאִישׁla/ISHevery manאֶת־צִדְקָתוֹet-tsid/ka/TOhis righteousnessוְאֶת־אֱמֻנָתוֹve/ET-e/mu/na/TOand his faithfulnessאֲשֶׁרa/SHERforנְתָנְךָne/ta/ne/KHAgave youיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDהַיּוֹםhay/YOMtodayבְּיָדbe/YADinto my handוְלֹאve/LObut notאָבִיתִיa/VI/tiI wouldלִשְׁלֹחַlish/LO/achput forthיָדִיya/DImy handבִּמְשִׁיחַbim/SHI/achagainst the anointed ofיְהֹוָה׃Adonaithe LORD

    The LORD render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into my hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD's anointed.

24. 24

    וְהִנֵּהve/hin/NEand beholdכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERasגָּדְלָהga/de/LAwas highly valuedנַפְשְׁךָnaf/she/KHAyour soulהַיּוֹםhay/YOMdayהַזֶּהhaz/ZEthisבְּעֵינָיbe/e/NAYin my eyesכֵּןkensoתִּגְדַּלtig/DALmay be highly valuedנַפְשִׁיnaf/SHImy lifeבְּעֵינֵיbe/e/NEin the eyes ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDוְיַצִּלֵנִיve/yats/tsi/LE/niand may He deliver meמִכׇּל־צָרָה׃mik/KOL-tsa/RAout of all distress

    And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.

25. 25

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto Davidבָּרוּךְba/RUKHblessed beאַתָּהat/TAyouבְּנִיbe/NImy sonדָוִדDa/VIDDavidגַּםgambothעָשֹׂהa/SOdoתַעֲשֶׂהta/a/SEyou shall doוְגַםve/GAMand alsoיָכֹלya/KHOLprevailתּוּכָלtu/KHALyou shall prevailוַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidלְדַרְכּוֹle/dar/KOon his wayוְשָׁאוּלve/Sha/ULand Saulשָׁבshavreturnedלִמְקוֹמוֹ׃lim/ko/MOto his place

    Then Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail. So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.