1 Samuel 23:15-18

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 faith 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."
18 Then the two of them made a covenant in the Lord's presence.[c] Afterwards, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

1 Samuel 23:15-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 23

This chapter gives an account of David's relieving Keilah, when it had like to have fallen into the hands of the Philistines, 1Sa 23:1-6; and of Saul's design to surprise him there, which David having notice of, and inquiring of the Lord, departed from thence; which when Saul heard of, he forbore to come forth, 1Sa 23:7-13; and of David's being in the wilderness of Ziph, where, in a wood there, he had an interview with Jonathan, 1Sa 23:14-18; and of the Ziphites offering to deliver him up to Saul, for which he commends them, and gives them instructions how they should behave to him in that affair, 1Sa 23:19-23; and of his seeking him in the wilderness of Maon, where David and his men were in great danger of being taken; which was prevented by the news of the Philistines invading the land coming to Saul just at the nick of time, 1Sa 23:24-29.

Footnotes 3

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