1 Samuel 26:13

13 David crossed over to the other side of the hill and stood on top of the mountain far from Saul's camp. They were a long way away from each other.

1 Samuel 26:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 26:13

Then David went over to the other side
To a hill on the other side, opposite to Hachilah, where Saul lay encamped; or "passed over the passage" F17, the valley that lay between the two hills, and perhaps passed over a brook that ran in the valley, which is not unusual; so Josephus F18 says, that he went over a brook and came to the top of a mountain:

and stood on the top of an hill afar off;
he chose the top of an hill, that his voice might be heard at a distance, as it might in a clear air, and still night; and to be afar off, that he might the better make his escape, should an attempt be made to pursue him:

a great space [being] between them;
a large valley lying between the two hills.


FOOTNOTES:

F17 (rbeh rbeyw) "et transivit transitum", Montanus.
F18 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 13. sect. 9.

1 Samuel 26:13 In-Context

11 But may the Lord keep me from harming his appointed king! Take the spear and water jug that are near Saul's head. Then let's go."
12 So David took the spear and water jug that were near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw them or knew about it or woke up, because the Lord had put them sound asleep.
13 David crossed over to the other side of the hill and stood on top of the mountain far from Saul's camp. They were a long way away from each other.
14 David shouted to the army and to Abner son of Ner, "Won't you answer me, Abner?" Abner answered, "Who is calling for the king? Who are you?"
15 David said, "You're the greatest man in Israel. Isn't that true? Why didn't you guard your master the king? Someone came into your camp to kill your master the king!
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.