1 Samuel 23:8-18

8 So Saul called his troops to war, to march against Keilah and besiege David and his men.
9 When David heard that Saul was planning to attack him, he said to the priest Abiathar, "Bring the ephod here."
10 Then David said, "Lord, God of Israel, I have heard that Saul is planning to come to Keilah and destroy it on account of me, your servant.
11 Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to Saul? Will Saul really come, as I have heard? Lord, God of Israel, I beg you to answer me!" The Lord answered, "Saul will come."
12 "And will the citizens of Keilah hand my men and me over to Saul?" David asked again. "They will," the Lord answered.
13 So David and his men - about six hundred in all - left Keilah at once and kept on the move. When Saul heard that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up his plan.
14 David stayed in hiding in the hill country, in the wilderness near Ziph. Saul was always trying to find him, but God did not turn David over to him
15 David saw that Saul was out to kill him. David was at Horesh, in the wilderness near Ziph.
16 Jonathan went to him there and encouraged him with assurances of God's protection,
17 saying to him, "Don't be afraid. My father Saul won't be able to harm you. He knows very well that you are the one who will be the king of Israel and that I will be next in rank to you."
18 The two of them made a sacred promise of friendship to each other. David stayed at Horesh, and Jonathan went home. 1

Cross References 1

  • 1. 23.18 1 Samuel 18.3.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.