English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
15 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh.
15
While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.
16 And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.
16
And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
17 And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this."
17
“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”
18 And the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.
18
The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.
19 Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon
19
The Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, south of Jeshimon?
20 Now come down, O king, according to all your heart's desire to come down, and our part shall be to surrender him into the king's hand."
20
Now, Your Majesty, come down whenever it pleases you to do so, and we will be responsible for giving him into your hands.”
21 And Saul said, "May you be blessed by the LORD, for you have had compassion on me
21
Saul replied, “The LORD bless you for your concern for me.
22 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.
22
Go and get more information. Find out where David usually goes and who has seen him there. They tell me he is very crafty.
23 See therefore and take note of all the lurking places where he hides, and come back to me with sure information. Then I will go with you. And if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah."
23
Find out about all the hiding places he uses and come back to me with definite information. Then I will go with you; if he is in the area, I will track him down among all the clans of Judah.”
24 And they arose and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon.
24
So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon.
25 And Saul and his men went to seek him. And David was told, so he went down to the rock and lived in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.
25
Saul and his men began the search, and when David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard this, he went into the Desert of Maon in pursuit of David.
26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. And David was hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them,
26
Saul was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture them,
27 a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land."
27
a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.”
28 So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.
28
Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth.
29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi.
29
And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.