1 Samuel 23:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Go, make yet more sure. Know and see the place where his foot is, and who has seen him there, for it is told me that he is very cunning.

NIV: Go and get more information. Find out where David usually goes and who has seen him there. They tell me he is very crafty.

NASB: Go now, be more persistent, and investigate and see his place where he is hiding, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning.

CSB: Go and check again. Investigate where he goes and who has seen him there; they tell me he is extremely cunning.

NLT: Go and check again to be sure of where he is staying and who has seen him there, for I know that he is very crafty.

KJV: Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.

NKJV: Please go and find out for sure, and see the place where his hideout is, and who has seen him there. For I am told he is very crafty.

First Samuel 23:19–23 describes Saul finding the loyalty he's been seeking . The king is distraught that the people, including his servants, seem to love David more than him (1 Samuel 22:6–8). The people who live in the wilderness of Ziph contact their king to say David is near and they'll get him. Saul comes with his army and chases David and his men around a mountain. David is nearly surrounded when Saul receives news: the Philistines are attacking again. Saul hurries away, and David finds a new hiding spot (1 Samuel 24:29).

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.

Accessed 8/24/2025 6:25:39 AM