15. And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life. And David was in the desert of Ziph, in a wood.
16. And Jonathan the son of Saul arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hands in God: and he said to him:
17. Fear not: for the hand of my father Saul shall not find thee, and thou shalt reign over Israel, and I shall be next to thee, yea, and my father knoweth this.
18. And the two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood: but Jonathan returned to his house.
19. And the Ziphites went up to Saul in Gabaa, saying: Lo, doth not David lie hid with us in the strong holds of the wood, in mount Hachila, which is on the right hand of the desert.
20. Now therefore come down, as thy soul hath desired to come down: and it shall be our business to deliver him into the king's hands.
21. And Saul said: Blessed be ye of the Lord, for you have pitied my case.
22. Go therefore, I pray you, and use all diligence, and curiously inquire, and consider the place where his foot is, and who hath seen him there: for he thinketh of me, that I lie craftily in wait for him.
23. Consider and see all his lurking holes, wherein he is bid, and return to me with the certainty of the thing, that I may go with you. And if be should even go down into the earth to hide himself, I will search him out in all the thousands of Juda.