Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them;
Parallel translations
- KJV Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:
- BSB Then David crossed to the other side and stood atop the mountain at a distance; there was a wide gulf between them.
- NKJV Now David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great distance being between them.
- NASB Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance with a large area between them.
- NLT David climbed the hill opposite the camp until he was at a safe distance.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David crosses to a distant hilltop, putting a safe space between himself and Saul's camp. From there he can speak without renewing the danger.
Overview
Having taken the spear and jar, David withdraws to a far ridge before calling out. The physical distance is both prudent and symbolic of the gap David maintains from Saul's violence. The scene sets the stage for David's public appeal, where his integrity will be displayed before the whole camp.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- 1 Sam 24:8David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and showed respect.
- Judg 9:7When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, cried out, and said to them, “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.
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Christ at the center
The rise of the anointed king after Israel's failed first choice points to the true Anointed One (Messiah means 'anointed'), the shepherd-king after God's own heart from Bethlehem.
How 1 Samuel 26:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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