1 Samuel 26:20
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֗ה
H6258
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
2 of 20
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יִפֹּ֤ל
fall
H5307
יִפֹּ֤ל
fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
3 of 20
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
דָּמִי֙
Now therefore let not my blood
H1818
דָּמִי֙
Now therefore let not my blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
4 of 20
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
מִנֶּ֖גֶד
H5048
מִנֶּ֖גֶד
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
6 of 20
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
פְּנֵ֣י
before the face
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
before the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
7 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָצָ֞א
is come out
H3318
יָצָ֞א
is come out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
10 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְבַקֵּשׁ֙
to seek
H1245
לְבַקֵּשׁ֙
to seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
13 of 20
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִרְדֹּ֥ף
as when one doth hunt
H7291
יִרְדֹּ֥ף
as when one doth hunt
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
18 of 20
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing the disproportion in others' attacks help you respond with grace?
- When have you found freedom in acknowledging your own insignificance in a conflict?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.