Keraia
1 Samuel 23

1 Samuel 23:14

Saul Pursues David · 1 Samuel 23:7–29
Read 1 Samuel 23

Translations

Modern
And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand.
Traditional
And 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.
Literal
And David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the Wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, and God did not deliver him into his hand.
Latin
Morabatur autem David in deserto in locis firmissimis, mansitque in monte solitudinis Ziph, in monte opaco: quærebat eum tamen Saul cunctis diebus, et non tradidit eum Deus in manus ejus.

Original

Hebrew
English
And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand.

Notes

1 Samuel 23:14

  • The wilderness strongholds were natural rock formations that offered shelter.

  • Ziph was about 16 kilometers (10 miles) southeast of Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1).

1 Samuel 23:1–29

Because Saul received reports from informants, he was able to continue pursuing David (1 Samuel 23:7,13). David also had informants, which helped him stay ahead of Saul (1 Samuel 23:1, 9, 15, 25). David’s greatest advantage was that he could seek guidance and help from God, which Saul did not have (1 Samuel 23:2, 4, 12).

Theme notes and profiles

David Saul

Events

Parallels

Psalm 54:1–7

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Places

Ziph: A town in Judah where David hid from Saul

Glossary

David John the Baptist Keilah (Place) Samuel, Books of First and Second Wilderness Ziph (Place)

Topics

David: King of Israel: Goes to the Wilderness of Ziph, is Betrayed to Saul Deserts: The Persecuted Fled To Deserts: Ziph Malice: Saul Toward David Ziph: Two Cities of the Tribe of Judah