1 Samuel 23:26

²⁴ And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

²⁵ Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

²⁷ But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

²⁸ Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them.
KJV: And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
WEB: Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain; and David hurried to get away for fear of Saul, for Saul and his men surrounded David and his men to take them.
ASV: And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
DARBY: And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain; and David made haste to get away from Saul; and Saul and his men sought to surround David and his men to take them.
BLB: And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on this side of the mountain. And David made haste to get away from Saul, and Saul and his men were encircling upon David and his men to capture them.

ÅB: Saul gikk på den ene side av fjellet og David og hans menn på den andre side. Og David søkte engstelig å komme bort fra Saul, mens Saul og hans menn holdt på å omringe David og hans menn for å gripe dem.
OTB: Og Saul gikk på den ene siden av fjellet, og David og hans menn på den andre siden av fjellet. Og David skyndte seg for å komme bort fra Saul, for Saul og hans menn omringet David og hans menn for å gripe dem.
B1930: Saul gikk på den ene side av fjellet og David og hans menn på den andre side. Og David søkte engstelig å komme bort fra Saul, mens Saul og hans menn holdt på å omringe David og hans menn for å gripe dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Psalms 17:9
From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
Read in context
Psalms 17:11
They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
Read in context
Psalms 22:12
Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
Read in context
Psalms 118:11–13
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
Read in context
2 Samuel 15:14
And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
Read in context
Psalms 22:16
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Read in context
Psalms 31:22
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
Read in context
2 Chronicles 20:12
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
Read in context