1 Samuel 26 20

1 Samuel 26:20 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 26:20 nkjv

So now, do not let my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD. For the king of Israel has come out to seek a flea, as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

1 Samuel 26:20 niv

Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the LORD. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea?as one hunts a partridge in the mountains."

1 Samuel 26:20 esv

Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the LORD, for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains."

1 Samuel 26:20 nlt

Must I die on foreign soil, far from the presence of the LORD? Why has the king of Israel come out to search for a single flea? Why does he hunt me down like a partridge on the mountains?"

1 Samuel 26 verses

1 Samuel 26 20 Meaning

David's plea to King Saul expresses his profound distress and appeals to divine justice. He implores Saul not to shed his innocent blood pointlessly, emphasizing that such an act would be an affront before God. By describing himself as an insignificant "flea" and portraying Saul's relentless pursuit as akin to "hunting a partridge in the mountains," David highlights the disproportionate and demeaning nature of Saul's actions, demonstrating his own harmlessness and appealing to Saul's sense of reason and honor.

1 Samuel 26 20 Context

1 Samuel 26 immediately follows David's first opportunity to kill King Saul in 1 Samuel 24, where David cut off a piece of Saul's robe. Despite David's mercy and loyalty, Saul quickly resumes his pursuit. In chapter 26, Saul, still filled with jealousy and paranoia, once again sets out with 3,000 chosen men to hunt David in the wilderness of Ziph. David, with Abishai, ventures into Saul's encampment at night and finds Saul asleep with his spear near his head. Abishai offers to strike Saul, but David again forbids it, emphasizing the sanctity of the Lord's anointed and stating that the Lord himself would judge Saul. Instead, David takes Saul's spear and water jar as proof of his proximity and Saul's vulnerability. Verse 20 is part of David's powerful address to Saul from a distance, where he presents the undeniable evidence of his mercy and challenges Saul's irrational and dishonorable behavior. Historically, this highlights the tension of leadership transition, the complexities of divine anointing, and David's unwavering trust in God's timing and justice.

1 Samuel 26 20 Word analysis

• Now therefore: (Heb. wᵉ‘attâ) - A transitional phrase signaling a crucial point or consequence following an argument or observation. It indicates David's summary and concluding appeal.
• do not let my blood fall to the earth: (Heb. damî ‘al-yippōl ‘arṣâ) - Literally "my blood let it not fall to the ground." This is a powerful Hebrew idiom for being killed unjustly and without recompense. It signifies a life cut short, unavenged, and ultimately wasted. It carries a heavy spiritual connotation, recalling the blood of Abel crying out from the ground (Gen 4:10). David is not just asking Saul not to kill him, but to consider the moral and divine consequences of such an act.
• away from the presence of the Lord: (Heb. minneged pênê YHWH) - This phrase can be interpreted in a few ways. It means "before the Lord," "in the sight of the Lord," or "outside of His oversight." David appeals to God's ultimate sovereignty and judgment. He implies that his unjust death would be an offense against God Himself, happening under God's discerning gaze. It emphasizes that no action, especially such a grave one, escapes God's notice or judgment. David seeks vindication directly from God.
• for the king of Israel: (Heb. kî melek Yisra’ēl) - David explicitly names Saul by his title, which paradoxically underscores the shame and impropriety of his current actions. A king, the supreme authority chosen by God, should not be acting in such a undignified manner. This highlights the misuse of divine appointment and power.
• has come out to seek: (Heb. yāṣā’ libqaš) - Indicates an intentional and active pursuit. The verb biqqēš means "to seek," often with intensity or persistence. It emphasizes Saul's focused and continuous hunt for David.
• a single flea: (Heb. par‘ôš ‘eḥād) - Literally "one flea." David's self-deprecating analogy, comparing himself to a tiny, bothersome, and utterly insignificant insect. It minimizes his own threat to Saul and magnifies the absurdity and indignity of Saul's pursuit. Fleas are hard to catch, representing David's evasiveness despite his apparent weakness.
• like one who hunts: (Heb. ka’ašer yāṣûd) - "As one hunts" or "as one captures." A simile introducing the second analogy.
• a partridge in the mountains: (Heb. haqqôrē’ bāhārîm) - The partridge (qore) is known for dwelling in rocky, mountainous terrains. They are wary and difficult to capture, often needing to be flushed out. This analogy emphasizes Saul's desperate, persistent, and somewhat futile chase. It paints David as vulnerable yet elusive, relentlessly driven by his pursuer through harsh terrain. The hunt itself could also be seen as undignified for a king.

• "do not let my blood fall to the earth away from the presence of the Lord": This phrase combines the plea for life with an appeal to divine justice. David acknowledges God's omnipresence and moral oversight, asserting that any injustice against him would be an act against God Himself. It is a bold declaration of David's confidence that God will ultimately judge the situation.
• "for the king of Israel has come out to seek a single flea": This dramatic juxtaposition emphasizes the great disproportion between Saul's power and David's self-perceived harmlessness. It exposes the ludicrous nature of Saul's obsession and undermines the dignity of Saul's kingship.
• "like one who hunts a partridge in the mountains": This second simile deepens the first, adding layers of meaning. It describes the physical strain, persistence, and perhaps desperation of Saul's pursuit, likening it to a hunt for a small, elusive, and largely inconsequential creature. It suggests David is being constantly driven from refuge to refuge, but also subtly implies that such a hunt is ultimately undignified and likely to yield little meaningful reward for a king.

1 Samuel 26 20 Bonus section

This verse subtly showcases David's spiritual maturity and unwavering trust in God, contrasting sharply with Saul's deteriorating state. Despite having the perfect opportunity to kill Saul twice, David refuses to "stretch out his hand against the Lord's anointed." This not only demonstrates his respect for God's divine ordination but also his profound faith that God Himself would ultimately vindicate him and deal with Saul in His own way and timing (1 Sam 26:10). David's words here are not manipulative but a sincere appeal to the principles of divine justice and human honor that Saul, as king, should uphold. The double humiliation for Saul – first, having his life spared by the man he pursues, and second, being told his pursuit is as undignified as hunting vermin – should have brought a greater change of heart. Yet, it only temporarily mollifies Saul, underscoring the grip of his envy and pride. David's ability to remain righteous and articulate his case calmly amidst mortal danger serves as a testament to his character as "a man after God's own heart."

1 Samuel 26 20 Commentary

In 1 Samuel 26:20, David's address to Saul is a poignant appeal framed by humility, integrity, and faith. He first implores Saul to halt his unjust pursuit, framing his potential death not merely as a physical tragedy but as a moral wrong "away from the presence of the Lord." This appeals to Saul's conscience and to the divine standard, reminding Saul that all actions are judged by God. David knows his life is precious in God's sight. The phrase underscores David's belief in God as the ultimate avenger and witness of righteousness.

David then uses two powerful animal metaphors to expose the absurdity and ignobility of Saul's campaign. By calling himself a "single flea," he downplays his own perceived threat while simultaneously highlighting Saul's paranoia and misplaced energy. The metaphor points to David's insignificance relative to Saul's kingly power, making Saul's intense efforts seem utterly ridiculous. This is an act of extreme humility by David. The subsequent comparison to "hunting a partridge in the mountains" amplifies the futility and indignity of the chase. Partridges are difficult to catch and offer little in return for the effort. This highlights the relentless and wearisome nature of Saul's pursuit, yet its utter pointlessness, bringing no glory to Saul but rather shame. David is saying that Saul, as the King of Israel, is degrading himself and wasting the resources of his kingdom by pursuing someone so harmless. This statement captures David's reliance on God for justice and vindication, refusing to take vengeance into his own hands.