King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 26:20 Mean?

1 Samuel 26:20 in the King James Version says “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 see...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

18

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

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. accept: Heb. smell abiding: Heb. cleaving

20

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

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

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

Read 1 Samuel 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's vivid imagery reduces Saul's grand military expedition to absurdity: the king of Israel hunting 'a flea' and 'a partridge in the mountains.' The Hebrew 'par'osh' (flea) is among the smallest, most insignificant creatures, while the partridge (qore') was known for its exhausting, pointless flight patterns when pursued. This self-deprecating language simultaneously humbles David and exposes the foolishness of Saul's disproportionate response. The appeal 'let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD' invokes divine witness to any injustice.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Partridge hunting in the Judean hills was known for its futility; the birds would run and fly short distances, exhausting the hunter without being caught. This metaphor perfectly captured the years of fruitless pursuit Saul had undertaken.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing the disproportion in others' attacks help you respond with grace?
  2. When have you found freedom in acknowledging your own insignificance in a conflict?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 20
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אַל2 of 20
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִפֹּ֤ל3 of 20

“fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

דָּמִי֙4 of 20

“Now therefore let not my blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

אַ֔רְצָה5 of 20

“to the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִנֶּ֖גֶד6 of 20
H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

פְּנֵ֣י7 of 20

“before the face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֑ה8 of 20

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּֽי9 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָצָ֞א10 of 20

“is come out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מֶ֣לֶךְ11 of 20

“for the king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל12 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְבַקֵּשׁ֙13 of 20

“to seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֶת14 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פַּרְעֹ֣שׁ15 of 20

“flea”

H6550

a flea (as the isolated insect)

אֶחָ֔ד16 of 20

“a”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר17 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִרְדֹּ֥ף18 of 20

“as when one doth hunt”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

הַקֹּרֵ֖א19 of 20

“a partridge”

H7124

a caller, i.e., partridge (from its cry)

בֶּֽהָרִֽים׃20 of 20

“in the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 26:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 26:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 24:14Matthew 26:471 Samuel 2:91 Samuel 25:29Matthew 26:55

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 26 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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