1 Samuel 23:14-23
New American Standard Bible
15Now David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph, at Horesh.
16And Jonathan, Saul’s son, set out and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.
17He said to him, 'Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel, and I will be second in command to you; and Saul my father knows that as well.'
18So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord; and David stayed at Horesh, while Jonathan went to his house.
19Then Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, 'Is David not keeping himself hidden with us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon?
20Now then, O king, come down, since you fully desire to do so; and our part shall be to hand him over to the king.'
21Saul said, 'May you be blessed of the Lord, since you have had compassion on me.
22Go now, be more persistent, and investigate and see his place where he is hiding, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning.
23So look, and learn about all the hiding places where he keeps himself hidden, and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.'
King James Version
Chapter 23
14And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. 15And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
16And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
17And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
18And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
19Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
20Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.
21And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me.
22Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.
23See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
Christian Standard Bible
15David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in Horesh when he saw that Saul had come out to take his life.
16Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God,
17saying, "Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true."
18Then the two of them made a covenant in the Lord’s presence. Afterward, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.
19Some Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, "David is hiding among us in the strongholds in Horesh on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon.
20Now, whenever the king wants to come down, let him come down. Our part will be to hand him over to the king."
21"May you be blessed by the Lord," replied Saul, "for you have shown concern for me.
22Go and check again. Investigate where he goes and who has seen him there; they tell me he is extremely cunning.
23Investigate all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with accurate information, and I’ll go with you. If it turns out he really is in the region, I’ll search for him among all the clans of Judah."
New Living Translation
15One day near Horesh, David received the news that Saul was on the way to Ziph to search for him and kill him.
16Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.
17Don’t be afraid,' Jonathan reassured him. 'My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.'
18So the two of them renewed their solemn pact before the Lord. Then Jonathan returned home, while David stayed at Horesh.
19But now the men of Ziph went to Saul in Gibeah and betrayed David to him. 'We know where David is hiding,' they said. 'He is in the strongholds of Horesh on the hill of Hakilah, which is in the southern part of Jeshimon.
20Come down whenever you’re ready, O king, and we will catch him and hand him over to you!'
21The Lord bless you,' Saul said. 'At last someone is concerned about me!
22Go and check again to be sure of where he is staying and who has seen him there, for I know that he is very crafty.
23Discover his hiding places, and come back when you are sure. Then I’ll go with you. And if he is in the area at all, I’ll track him down, even if I have to search every hiding place in Judah!'
English Standard Version
15David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh.
16And Jonathan, Saul 's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.
17And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this."
18And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.
19Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon?
20Now come down, O king, according to all your heart 's desire to come down, and our part shall be to surrender him into the king 's hand."
21And Saul said, "May you be blessed by the Lord, for you have had compassion on me.
22Go, make yet more sure. Know and see the place where his foot is, and who has seen him there, for it is told me that he is very cunning.
23See therefore and take note of all the lurking places where he hides, and come back to me with sure information. Then I will go with you. And if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah."
New International Version
15While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.
16And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
17"Don’t be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this."
18The two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.
19The Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, south of Jeshimon?
20Now, Your Majesty, come down whenever it pleases you to do so, and we will be responsible for giving him into your hands."
21Saul replied, "The Lord bless you for your concern for me.
22Go and get more information. Find out where David usually goes and who has seen him there. They tell me he is very crafty.
23Find out about all the hiding places he uses and come back to me with definite information. Then I will go with you; if he is in the area, I will track him down among all the clans of Judah."
New King James Version
Chapter 23
14And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. 15So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest. 16Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God. 17And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Even my father Saul knows that.” 18So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. And David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his own house.
19Then the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
20Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of your soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.”
21And Saul said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, for you have compassion on me.
22Please go and find out for sure, and see the place where his hideout is, and who has seen him there. For I am told he is very crafty.
23See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides; and come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. And it shall be, if he is in the land, that I will search for him throughout all the clans of Judah.”
