1 Samuel 26:4

4 he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived.

1 Samuel 26:4 in Other Translations

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

4 David sent out spies and learned that Saul had come.

4 he sent out spies to verify the report of Saul’s arrival.

4 He sent scouts to determine his precise location.

4 So David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come.

1 Samuel 26:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 26:4

David therefore sent out spies
To observe if he was coming or come, and where he was, that he might not be surprised by him; for though David knew the Lord was and would be his protection, he thought proper to be upon his guard, and to make use of means for his safety:

and understood that Saul was come in very deed;
that he was most certainly come, and come to some certain place; which he himself went to reconnoitre, as in ( 1 Samuel 26:5 ) .

1 Samuel 26:4 In-Context

2 So Saul went down to the Desert of Ziph, with his three thousand select Israelite troops, to search there for David.

3 Saul made his camp beside the road on the hill of Hakilah facing Jeshimon, but David stayed in the wilderness. When he saw that Saul had followed him there,

4 he sent out scouts and learned that Saul had definitely arrived.

5 Then David set out and went to the place where Saul had camped. He saw where Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of the army, had lain down. Saul was lying inside the camp, with the army encamped around him.

6 David then asked Ahimelek the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, “Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?” “I’ll go with you,” said Abishai.