1 Samuel 23:19–29

19 Then qcame up the lZiphites to Saul to rGibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in sthe hill of Hachilah, which is †on the south of ||Jeshimon? 20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to tdeliver him into the king’s hand. 21 And Saul said, uBlessed be ye of the Lord; for wye have compassion on me. 22 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. 23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me xwith the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah. 24 And they arose, and went to lZiph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of yMaon, in the plain on zthe south of Jeshimon. 25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down ||into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. 26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made ahaste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. 27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; bfor the Philistines have †invaded the land. 28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place ||Sela-hammahlekoth.

29 And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at cEn-gedi.