1 Samuel 23:15–24

A RENEWED COVENANT

15 David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in Horesh when he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faithA in God,a 17 saying, “Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. You yourself will be king over Israel,b and I’ll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true.”c 18 Then the two of them made a covenant in the Lord’s presence.d Afterward, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

DAVID’S NARROW ESCAPE

19 Some Ziphitese came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “David is hiding among us in the strongholds in Horesh on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon? 20 So now, whenever the king wants to come down, let him come down. As for us, we will be glad to hand him over to the king.”f

21 “May you be blessed by the Lord,” replied Saul, “for you have shown concern for me.g 22 Go and check again. InvestigateB where he goesC and who has seen him there; they tell me he is extremely cunning. 23 InvestigateD all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with accurate information, and I’ll go with you. If it turns out he really is in the region, I’ll search for him among all the clansE of Judah.” 24 So they went to Ziph ahead of Saul.

Now David and his men were in the wilderness near Maonh in the Arabah south of Jeshimon,