1 Samuel 20:26
New International Version
Saul said nothing that day, for he thought, “Something must have happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.”

New Living Translation
Saul didn’t say anything about it that day, for he said to himself, “Something must have made David ceremonially unclean.”

English Standard Version
Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean.”

Berean Standard Bible
Saul said nothing that day because he thought, “Something has happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean—surely he is unclean.”

King James Bible
Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

New King James Version
Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him; he is unclean, surely he is unclean.”

New American Standard Bible
Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day, because he thought, “It must have been an accident; he is not clean, undoubtedly he is not clean.”

NASB 1995
Nevertheless Saul did not speak anything that day, for he thought, “It is an accident, he is not clean, surely he is not clean.”

NASB 1977
Nevertheless Saul did not speak anything that day, for he thought, “It is an accident, he is not clean, surely he is not clean.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Nevertheless Saul did not speak anything that day, for he said, “It is an accident; he is not clean; surely he is not clean.”

Amplified Bible
Yet Saul did not say anything that day, for he thought, “It is an incident [of some kind] and he is not [ceremonially] clean—surely he is unclean.”

Christian Standard Bible
Saul did not say anything that day because he thought, “Something unexpected has happened; he must be ceremonially unclean—yes, that’s it, he is unclean.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul did not say anything that day because he thought, “Something unexpected has happened; he must be ceremonially unclean—yes, that’s it, he is unclean.”

American Standard Version
Nevertheless Saul spake not anything that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

Contemporary English Version
Saul didn't say anything that day, because he was thinking, "Something must have happened to make David unfit to be at the Festival. Yes, something must have happened."

English Revised Version
Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Saul didn't say anything that day, thinking, "Something has happened to him so that he's unclean. He must be unclean."

Good News Translation
but Saul said nothing that day, because he thought, "Something has happened to him, and he is not ritually pure."

International Standard Version
Saul didn't say anything that day because he told himself, "Something has happened; he's unclean; surely he's not clean."

Majority Standard Bible
Saul said nothing that day because he thought, ?Something has happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean?surely he is unclean.?

NET Bible
However, Saul said nothing about it that day, for he thought, "Something has happened to make him ceremonially unclean. Yes, he must be unclean."

New Heart English Bible
Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day: for he thought, "Something has happened to him. He is not clean. Surely he is not clean."

Webster's Bible Translation
Nevertheless Saul spoke not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

World English Bible
Nevertheless Saul didn’t say anything that day, for he thought, “Something has happened to him. He is not clean. Surely he is not clean.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul has not spoken anything on that day, for he said, “It [is] an accident; he is not clean—surely not clean.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul hath not spoken anything on that day, for he said, 'It is an accident; he is not clean -- surely not clean.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul spake not anything in that day, for he said, It is an accident; he is not clean; for he is not clean.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul said nothing that day, for he thought it might have happened to him, that he was not clean, nor purified.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Saul did not say anything on that day. For he was thinking that perhaps something happened to him, so that he was not clean, or not purified.

New American Bible
Saul, however, said nothing that day, for he thought, “He must have become unclean by accident.”

New Revised Standard Version
Saul did not say anything that day; for he thought, “Something has befallen him; he is not clean, surely he is not clean.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Nevertheless Saul did not say anything that day; for he thought, Something has happened to him, or perhaps he is unclean, or perhaps he has not purified himself.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul did not say a thing on that day, because he said ‘Perhaps it happens that he is being purified, or perhaps he has not been purified’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Nevertheless Saul spoke not any thing that day; for he thought: 'Something hath befallen him, he is unclean; surely he is not clean.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul said nothing on that day, for he said, It seems to have fallen out that he is not clean, because he has not purified himself.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonathan and David Renew Their Covenant
25He sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty. 26Saul said nothing that day because he thought, “Something has happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean surely he is unclean.” 27But on the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why hasn’t the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today?”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:2
“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

1 Samuel 18:10-11
The next day a spirit of distress sent from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied inside the house while David played the harp as usual. Now Saul was holding a spear, / and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

1 Samuel 19:9-10
But as Saul was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, a spirit of distress from the LORD came upon him. While David was playing the harp, / Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.

1 Samuel 25:3
His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

2 Samuel 3:30
(Joab and his brother Abishai murdered Abner because he had killed their brother Asahel in the battle at Gibeon.)

2 Samuel 13:28
Now Absalom had ordered his young men, “Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine, and when I order you to strike Amnon down, you are to kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!”

2 Kings 4:23
“Why would you go to him today?” he replied. “It is not a New Moon or a Sabbath.” “Everything is all right,” she said.

2 Kings 5:18
Yet may the LORD forgive your servant this one thing: When my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my arm, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant in this matter.”

2 Kings 10:20
And Jehu commanded, “Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they announced it.

2 Chronicles 30:18
A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone

Psalm 69:7-9
For I have endured scorn for Your sake, and shame has covered my face. / I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons, / because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.

Proverbs 26:24-26
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. / Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Matthew 12:14
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.


Treasury of Scripture

Nevertheless Saul spoke not any thing that day: for he thought, Something has befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

he is not clean

Leviticus 7:21
Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.

Leviticus 11:24,27,31,40
And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even…

Leviticus 15:5,16,17,19-21
And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even…

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1 Samuel 20
1. David consults with Jonathan for his safety
11. Jonathan and David renew their covenant by oath
18. Jonathan's token to David
23. Saul, missing David, seeks to kill Jonathan
35. Jonathan affectionately takes his leave of David














Saul said nothing that day
This phrase indicates a moment of silence from Saul, which is significant given his usual impulsive nature. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often implies a declaration or command. Saul's silence here is strategic, reflecting his internal conflict and suspicion. Historically, Saul's silence can be seen as a moment of tension, as he is aware of David's absence but chooses not to act immediately. This restraint is unusual for Saul, suggesting a deeper turmoil or calculation.

for he thought
The Hebrew word for "thought" is "חָשַׁב" (chashav), meaning to consider or reckon. This indicates Saul's internal reasoning process. In the context of ancient Israel, leaders were expected to be decisive, yet here Saul is caught in a moment of introspection. This phrase highlights Saul's attempt to rationalize David's absence, showing his reliance on human reasoning rather than seeking divine guidance.

Something has happened to him
This phrase suggests an unexpected event or circumstance. The Hebrew "קָרָה" (qarah) implies an occurrence or chance happening. Saul's assumption reflects the unpredictability of life and the cultural understanding of divine providence. In the biblical narrative, this moment underscores the tension between human plans and God's sovereign will, as Saul tries to make sense of David's absence through natural explanations.

to make him ceremonially unclean
The concept of ceremonial uncleanness is rooted in the Hebrew word "טָמֵא" (tamei), which refers to a state of impurity that prevents participation in religious activities. This reflects the Levitical laws found in the Torah, where certain conditions or actions rendered a person temporarily unfit for worship. Saul's assumption that David is unclean shows his adherence to religious customs and his attempt to find a plausible explanation within the framework of Jewish law.

surely he is unclean
The repetition of the idea of uncleanness emphasizes Saul's conviction. The Hebrew "אָכֵן" (aken) is an emphatic particle, underscoring Saul's certainty. This reflects a common practice in Hebrew literature to reinforce a point through repetition. Saul's insistence on David's uncleanness reveals his desire to rationalize the situation, perhaps to quell his own fears about David's loyalty and the potential threat to his kingship.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Saul
שָׁא֛וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

said
דִבֶּ֥ר (ḏib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

nothing
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

that
הַה֑וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

because
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he thought,
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Something has happened to
מִקְרֶ֣ה (miq·reh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4745: Something met with, an accident, fortune

[David]
ה֔וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

to make him ceremonially unclean—
בִּלְתִּ֥י (bil·tî)
Preposition
Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until

surely
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he [is]
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

unclean.”
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no


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OT History: 1 Samuel 20:26 Nevertheless Saul didn't say anything that day: (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 20:25
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