◄ 1 Samuel 24:3 {4} ►
Verse  (Click for Chapter)
Good News Translation
He came to a cave close to some sheep pens by the road and went in to relieve himself. It happened to be the very cave in which David and his men were hiding far back in the cave.

New Revised Standard Version
He came to the sheepfolds beside the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave.

Contemporary English Version
There were some sheep pens along the side of the road, and one of them was built around the entrance to a cave. Saul went into the cave to relieve himself. David and his men were hiding at the back of the cave.

New American Bible
When he came to the sheepfolds along the way, he found a cave, which he entered to relieve himself. David and his men were occupying the inmost recesses of the cave.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he came to the sheepcotes which were in his way. And there was a cave, into which Saul went, to ease nature: now David and his men lay hid in the inner part of the cave.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

And he came to the sheepcotes which were in his way. And there was a cave, into which Saul went, to ease nature: now David and his men lay hid in the inner part of the cave.

the sheepcotes.

30,000, retired into this grotto, to avoid a bad air. This place is so strong, that one would imagine it to be one of the strong holds of En-gedi, to which David and his men fled from Saul: and possibly it may be that very cave in which he cut off Saul's skirt; for David and his men might, with good ease, lie hid there and not be seen by him.'

Travels, vol.

1. p.41.
and Saul

Psalm 141:6 Their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up. They shall hear my words, for they have prevailed:

to cover

Judges 3:24 Went out by a postern door. And the king's servants going in, saw the doors of the parlour shut, and they said: Perhaps he is easing nature in his summer parlour.

David

Psalm 57:1 Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title, when he fled from Saul into the cave. [2] Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in thee. And in the shadow of thy wings will I hope, until iniquity pass away.

Psalm 142:1 Of understanding for David, A prayer when he was in the cave. [2] I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.

Context
David Spares Saul
…2Saul, therefore, took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went out to seek after David and his men, even upon the most craggy rocks, which are accessible only to wild goats. 3And he came to the sheepcotes which were in his way. And there was a cave, into which Saul went, to ease nature: now David and his men lay hid in the inner part of the cave.4And the servants of David said to him: Behold the day, of which the Lord said to thee: I will deliver thy enemy unto thee, that thou mayst do to him as it shall seem good in thy eyes. Then David arose, and secretly cut off the hem of Saul's robe.…
Cross References
Judges 3:24
Went out by a postern door. And the king's servants going in, saw the doors of the parlour shut, and they said: Perhaps he is easing nature in his summer parlour.

1 Samuel 26:3
And Saul encamped in Gabaa Hachila, which was over against the wilderness in the way: and David abode in the wilderness. And seeing that Saul was come after him into the wilderness,

Psalm 57:1
Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title, when he fled from Saul into the cave. [2] Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in thee. And in the shadow of thy wings will I hope, until iniquity pass away.

Psalm 142:1
Of understanding for David, A prayer when he was in the cave. [2] I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.

1 Samuel 24:2
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