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Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> David now stayed in the strongholds of the wilderness and in the hill country of Ziph. Saul hunted him day after day, but God didn’t let Saul find him. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/23.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/23.htm">New King James Version</a> And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand him over to him. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> 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, but God did not deliver him into his hand. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> 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, but God did not deliver him into his hand. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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, but God did not give him into his hand. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> David stayed in the wilderness in strongholds, in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand David over to him. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> David then stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand David over to him. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> David then stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand David over to him. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> And David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> David stayed in hideouts in the hill country of Ziph Desert. Saul kept searching, but God never let Saul catch him. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> And David abode in the wilderness in the strong holds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> David lived in fortified camps in the desert, and he lived in fortified camps in the mountains of the desert of Ziph. Saul was always searching for him, but God didn't let him capture David. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> David stayed in hiding in the hill country, in the wilderness near Ziph. Saul was always trying to find him, but God did not turn David over to him. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and he lived in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not let David slip into Saul's control. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/1_samuel/23.htm">NET Bible</a> David stayed in the strongholds that were in the desert and in the hill country of the desert of Ziph. Saul looked for him all the time, but God did not deliver David into his hand. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but the LORD did not deliver him into his hand. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/1_samuel/23.htm">World English Bible</a> David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God didn’t deliver him into his hand. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And David abides in the wilderness, in fortresses, and abides in the hill-country, in the wilderness of Ziph; and Saul seeks him [for] all the days, and God has not given him into his hand. <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And David abideth in the wilderness, in fortresses, and abideth in the hill-country, in the wilderness of Ziph; and Saul seeketh him all the days, and God hath not given him into his hand. <a href="/slt/1_samuel/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And David will dwell in the desert in fastnesses, and he will dwell in the mountain in the desert of Ziph. And Saul will seek him all the days, and God save him not into his hand.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But David abode in the desert in strong holds, and he remained in a mountain of the desert of Ziph, in a woody hill. And Saul sought him always: but the Lord delivered him not into his hands. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then David stayed in the desert, in very strong places. And he stayed on a mount in the wilderness of Ziph, on a shady mount. Nevertheless, Saul was seeking him every day. But the Lord did not deliver him into his hands. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/23.htm">New American Bible</a> David now lived in the strongholds in the wilderness, or in the barren hill country near Ziph. Though Saul sought him continually, the LORD did not deliver David into his hand. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but the LORD did not give him into his hand.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And David abode in the wilderness of Misroth, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And David dwelt in the wilderness of Metsruth, and he dwelt in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph, and Shaul searched for him all of their days, and God did not hand him over into his hand<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he dwelt in Maserem in the wilderness, in the narrow passes; and dwelt in the wilderness in mount Ziph, in the dry country. And Saul sought him continually, but the Lord delivered him not into his hands. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/23-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=6868" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Saul Pursues David</a> …13Then David and his men, about six hundred strong, set out and departed from Keilah, moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he declined to go forth. 14<a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">And David</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: way·yê·šeḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">stayed</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: bam·miḏ·bār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">in the wilderness</a> <a href="/hebrew/4679.htm" title="4679: bam·mə·ṣā·ḏō·wṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fp) -- Fastness, a stronghold. Or mtsad; or mtsadah; from tsuwd; a fastness.">strongholds</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: way·yê·šeḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: bā·hār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">and in the hill country</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: bə·miḏ·bar- (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">of the Wilderness</a> <a href="/hebrew/2128.htm" title="2128: zîp̄ (N-proper-fs) -- From the same as zepheth; flowing; Ziph, the name of a place in Palestine; also of an Israelite.">of Ziph.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">Day</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yā·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">after day</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: way·ḇaq·šê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">searched for him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">but God</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">would not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nə·ṯā·nōw (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">deliver David</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏōw (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">into his hand.</a> 15While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/54-3.htm">Psalm 54:3-4</a> For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah / Surely God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul. <a href="/psalms/18-2.htm">Psalm 18:2</a> The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. <a href="/psalms/27-1.htm">Psalm 27:1</a> Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread? <a href="/psalms/31-20.htm">Psalm 31:20</a> You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues. <a href="/psalms/32-7.htm">Psalm 32:7</a> You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah <a href="/psalms/34-7.htm">Psalm 34:7</a> The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them. <a href="/psalms/59-1.htm">Psalm 59:1</a> For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. <a href="/psalms/91-1.htm">Psalm 91:1-2</a> He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. / I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” <a href="/psalms/121-7.htm">Psalm 121:7-8</a> The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. / The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore. <a href="/psalms/124-8.htm">Psalm 124:8</a> Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. <a href="/psalms/142-5.htm">Psalm 142:5</a> I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” <a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1</a> Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/matthew/10-23.htm">Matthew 10:23</a> When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. <a href="/luke/4-29.htm">Luke 4:29-30</a> They got up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him over the cliff. / But Jesus passed through the crowd and went on His way. <a href="/john/10-39.htm">John 10:39</a> At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And David stayed 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.a mountain<a href="/psalms/11-1.htm">Psalm 11:1-3</a> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? … the wilderness <a href="/joshua/15-24.htm">Joshua 15:24,55</a> Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth, … Saul<a href="/1_samuel/27-1.htm">1 Samuel 27:1</a> And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.<a href="/psalms/54-3.htm">Psalm 54:3,4</a> For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah… <a href="/proverbs/1-16.htm">Proverbs 1:16</a> For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.but God<a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm">1 Samuel 23:7</a> And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.<a href="/psalms/32-7.htm">Psalm 32:7</a> Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.<a href="/psalms/37-32.htm">Psalm 37:32,33</a> The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/19-4.htm">Abideth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-6.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-24.htm">Country</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-13.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-12.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-18.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-12.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-6.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-22.htm">Hill-Country</a> <a href="/judges/11-38.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-6.htm">Holds</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-13.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-3.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-6.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-23.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-13.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/judges/6-29.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-14.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-10.htm">Seeketh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-16.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-1.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-6.htm">Strongholds</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-38.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-18.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-28.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/joshua/15-55.htm">Ziph</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/23-18.htm">Abideth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-18.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-5.htm">Country</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-15.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-20.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-10.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-15.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-16.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-20.htm">Hill-Country</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-15.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">Holds</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-3.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-26.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-23.htm">Places</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-29.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-15.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-4.htm">Searched</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-14.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-9.htm">Seeketh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-4.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-16.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">Strongholds</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-1.htm">Waiting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-15.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-15.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-15.htm">Ziph</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 23</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/23-1.htm">David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah</a> 7. <a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm">God showing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites, </a> 13. <a href="/1_samuel/23-13.htm">he escapes from Keilah</a> 14. <a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him</a> 19. <a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">The Ziphites discover him to Saul</a> 25. <a href="/1_samuel/23-25.htm">At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines</a> 29. <a href="/1_samuel/23-29.htm">He dwells at En Gedi</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds David's choice to stay in the wilderness strongholds reflects his strategic acumen and understanding of the terrain. The wilderness provided natural fortifications and concealment from Saul's forces. This period of David's life is marked by his reliance on God for protection and guidance, as he was anointed but not yet king. The wilderness experience is reminiscent of other biblical figures who encountered God in desolate places, such as Moses and Elijah.and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. The Wilderness of Ziph is located in the Judean desert, south of Hebron. This area is characterized by its rugged terrain and sparse vegetation, making it an ideal location for hiding. The Ziphites, inhabitants of the region, later betray David to Saul, highlighting the constant danger and betrayal David faced. The geographical setting underscores the theme of divine protection amidst human treachery.Day after day Saul searched for him, Saul's relentless pursuit of David illustrates his growing paranoia and desperation to maintain his kingship. This pursuit is a physical manifestation of Saul's spiritual decline and disobedience to God. The narrative contrasts Saul's human efforts with God's sovereign plan, emphasizing that no amount of human striving can thwart God's purposes.but God would not deliver David into his hand. This phrase underscores the divine protection over David's life. Despite Saul's persistent efforts, God's providence ensures David's safety. This protection is a fulfillment of God's promise to David and a testament to His faithfulness. It also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance and kingship of David, a type of Christ, who would also be pursued but not overcome by His enemies. This divine intervention highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and the futility of opposing His anointed.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The anointed future king of Israel, who is on the run from King Saul. David is a central figure in this passage, demonstrating faith and reliance on God despite being pursued. 2. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> The current king of Israel, who is seeking to kill David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. Saul's relentless pursuit highlights his disobedience and lack of trust in God's plan. 3. <a href="/topical/w/wilderness_strongholds.htm">Wilderness Strongholds</a> These are the remote and fortified places where David sought refuge. They symbolize both physical protection and spiritual reliance on God. 4. <a href="/topical/d/desert_of_ziph.htm">Desert of Ziph</a> A specific location in the Judean wilderness where David hid. The harshness of the desert underscores the severity of David's trials. 5. <a href="/topical/g/god's_protection.htm">God's Protection</a> The divine intervention that prevents Saul from capturing David, illustrating God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_trials.htm">God's Sovereignty in Trials</a> Even when pursued by enemies, God is in control and protects His people according to His purposes. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_adversity.htm">Faith in Adversity</a> Like David, believers are called to trust in God's protection and timing, even when circumstances seem dire. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_strongholds.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Strongholds</a> Just as David found refuge in physical strongholds, Christians should seek spiritual refuge in God's Word and presence. <a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a> Despite Saul's pursuit, God had promised David the throne, and He remained faithful to that promise. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prayer_and_worship.htm">The Role of Prayer and Worship</a> David's psalms during this time reflect the importance of prayer and worship in maintaining faith and perspective.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 23</a> <a href="/q/why_no_trace_of_david's_hideouts_today.htm">If 1 Samuel 23:14 places David in uncharted wilderness strongholds, why is there little or no archaeological trace of these specific hideouts today? </a> <a href="/q/escape_to_mountains_for_safety.htm">Should we escape to the mountains for safety?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_david's_600-man_force.htm">What archaeological or historical evidence supports the existence of David’s 600-man force (1 Samuel 23:13) during a time of limited resources and political instability? </a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_spiritual_stronghold.htm">What defines a spiritual stronghold?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) The wilderness of Ziph.--This wilderness probably lies between Hebron and En-gedi. Some of these "stations" in the wanderings of the future king are only doubtfully identified. Cowper's musical--though perhaps, according to our recent canons of taste, old-fashioned--lines well describe the Psalmist-king's weary wanderings during this portion of his chequered career:--"See Judah's promised king bereft of all,Driven out an exile from the face of Saul.To distant caves the lonely wanderer flies,To seek that peace a tyrant's frown denies.His soul exults; hope animates his lays;The sense of mercy kindles into praise;And wilds familiar with the lion s roarRing with ecstatic sounds unheard before."COWPER.Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him.--This is merely a general remark, and intended to cover a long period of time, including the remaining portion of Saul's reign, during which David was perpetually exposed to Saul's attempts to destroy him. It quietly mentions also that though Saul was armed with all the power of the king in Israel, he was powerless, for the invisible King of Israel declined to give this hated David into his hand.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 14, 15. - Strong holds. Natural fortresses in the woods and mountains are meant, and places difficult of access. The wilderness of Ziph. This lay to the south of Hebron, upon the edge of the great desert of Judah (<a href="/joshua/15-55.htm">Joshua 15:55</a>). Saul sought him every day. The pursuit was maintained constantly, with men always spying David's movements, and ready to report to Saul any opportunity of seizing him; but apparently there was no body of men at present perpetually in quest of him. In a wood. Many rightly regard this as a proper name, Horesh, and as the same place as the mountain mentioned in ver. 14; for, as Conder remarks ('Tent Work,' 2:89), "a moment's reflection will convince any traveller that, as the dry, porous formation of the plateau must be unchanged since David's time, no wood of trees can then have flourished over this unwatered and sun-scorched region ." <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/23-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And David דָּוִ֤ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse stayed וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry in the wilderness בַּמִּדְבָּר֙ (bam·miḏ·bār) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> A pasture, a desert, speech strongholds בַּמְּצָד֔וֹת (bam·mə·ṣā·ḏō·wṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4679.htm">Strong's 4679: </a> Fastness, a stronghold and in the hill country בָּהָ֖ר (bā·hār) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> Mountain, hill, hill country of the Wilderness בְּמִדְבַּר־ (bə·miḏ·bar-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> A pasture, a desert, speech of Ziph. זִ֑יף (zîp̄) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2128.htm">Strong's 2128: </a> Ziph -- a son of Judah, also a city Southeast of Hebron and a city in southern Judah Day כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every after day הַיָּמִ֔ים (hay·yā·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day Saul שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites searched for him, וַיְבַקְשֵׁ֤הוּ (way·ḇaq·šê·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> To search out, to strive after but God אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative would not וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no deliver [David] נְתָנ֥וֹ (nə·ṯā·nōw) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set into his hand. בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ (bə·yā·ḏōw) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/23-14.htm">1 Samuel 23:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 23:14 David abode in the wilderness (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/23-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 23:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 23:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/23-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 23:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 23:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>