English Standard Version

1 Samuel 23:14-22 English Standard Version (ESV)

14. And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.

15. David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh.

16. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.

17. And 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.”

18. And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.

19. Then 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?

20. Now 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.”

21. And Saul said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, for you have had compassion on me.

22. Go, 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.