Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.

1 SAMUEL 26:6KJV
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1 Samuel 26:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 26:6 mean?

1 Samuel 26:6 describes David asking two men, Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai (Joab’s brother), who will go with him down into Saul’s camp, and Abishai volunteering to go. This verse shows David carefully selecting a companion for a risky mission to approach Saul, who is camped with his army.

David is the speaker here, addressing Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai, the son of Zeruiah. The situation is tense: Saul is pursuing David, and David is considering a dangerous approach to Saul’s camp at night. The verse highlights David’s leadership and Abishai’s willingness to join him, setting up the events that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 26:6

  • "down" (יָרַד, yarad): This word is often used for physically descending or going to a lower place. Here, it emphasizes the act of entering Saul’s camp, which was likely in a valley or lower area, and also hints at the danger involved.
  • "camp" (מַחֲנֶה, machaneh): This term refers to a military encampment. Its use here makes clear that David is not just approaching Saul personally, but entering a guarded area filled with soldiers, raising the stakes of the decision.

Why 1 Samuel 26:6 matters

  • This verse shows David’s careful planning and willingness to take personal risks, rather than sending others into danger alone.
  • Naming Abishai as the son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab connects this event to other stories about David’s loyal warriors, giving context to Abishai’s character and future actions.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic events that follow, where David will have the chance to confront Saul but chooses to spare him, highlighting themes of mercy and restraint.

Where else these words appear

“Ahimelech” Hebrew H288 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
  • 1 Samuel 22:14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
  • 2 Samuel 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;

“Abishai” Hebrew H52 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
  • 2 Samuel 10:14 And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, then fled they also before Abishai, and entered into the city. So Joab returned from the children of Ammon, and came to Jerusalem.
  • 2 Samuel 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.

“Zeruiah” Hebrew H6870 · used in 25 verses

  • 2 Samuel 2:13 And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David, went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon: and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool.
  • 2 Samuel 18:2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
  • 1 Kings 2:22 And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

“Hittite” Hebrew H2850 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 15:20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
  • Numbers 13:29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.
  • 2 Samuel 11:24 And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king's servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.