Keraia
1 Samuel 23

1 Samuel 23:24

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

Translations

Modern
So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon in the Arabah south of Jeshimon,
Traditional
And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
Literal
And they arose and went to Ziph before the face of Saul. And David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
Latin
At illi surgentes abierunt in Ziph ante Saul: David autem et viri ejus erant in deserto Maon, in campestribus ad dexteram Jesimon.

Original

Hebrew
English
So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon in the Arabah south of Jeshimon,

Notes

1 Samuel 23:24

  • Maon was about 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) directly south of the wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:14), about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of Hebron.

  • The Arabah Valley is a deep rift stretching from above the Sea of Galilee down both sides of the Jordan River to the Dead Sea.

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

Arabah: A desert region in the Jordan Valley and southward Jeshimon: A wilderness near Ziph, where David hid from Saul Maon: A city in Judah; home of Nabal and Abigail Ziph: A town in Judah where David hid from Saul

Glossary

David Desert Jeshimon John the Baptist Maon (Place) Meunim, Meunites Samuel, Books of First and Second Wilderness

Topics

David: King of Israel: Goes to the Wilderness of Ziph, is Betrayed to Saul Deserts: Maon Jeshimon: A Place in the Desert of Judah Maon: David (With his Insurgents) Encamps Near Ziph: Two Cities of the Tribe of Judah