17. Jonathan told him, “Don’t be afraid, because my father won’t touch you. You will be king of Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”
18. The two of them made an agreement before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David stayed at Horesh.
19. The people from Ziph went to Saul at Gibeah and told him, “David is hiding in our land. He’s at the hideouts of Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, south of Jeshimon.
20. Now, our king, come down anytime you want. It’s our duty to hand David over to you.”
21. Saul answered, “The Lord bless you for helping me.
22. Go and learn more about him. Find out where he is staying and who has seen him there. I have heard that he is clever.
23. Find all the hiding places he uses, and come back and tell me everything. Then I’ll go with you. If David is in the area, I will track him down among all the families in Judah.”
24. So they went back to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon in the desert area south of Jeshimon.