1 Samuel 23:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

NASB: 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.

CSB: 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.

NLT: 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.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: 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.

First Samuel 23:6–14 echoes the saying that "no good deed goes unpunished." He and his 600 men have saved the city of Keilah from Philistines who were stealing grain. When Saul hears, he plots to trap David in the city. God warns David that the residents will turn him over to the king, so David takes his army and flees into the wilderness. With the help of other locals, Saul finds David and chases him around a mountain. Just when Saul's army is about to take David's, the king hears the Philistines are attacking again and withdraws (1 Samuel 15–29).

First Samuel 23 describes God's protection of David from Saul. God tells David and his men to save the city of Keilah from the Philistines. When Saul plans to trap David and his army in the city, God warns David the people will betray them. Jonathan visits and encourages David. More locals offer to betray David to Saul, but just as the king draws near, he hears the Philistines are attacking. Jonathan is right that God is protecting David.

David had been the hero of the people. He still is, in some ways. But he's had to run from his murderous king. He's been forced to feign madness to escape the Philistines. Recently, he has learned that Saul destroyed everyone in the city of the priest who helped David (1 Samuel 18—23). Now, David is responsible for 600 desperate men and their families, and Saul is hunting him. Twice, God saves David without making him fight Saul (1 Samuel 23). Next, David will refuse to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24). David is on the run, but God is keeping him safe.

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.