1 Samuel 23:14

14 David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of 1Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but 2God did not deliver him into his hand

1 Samuel 23:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 23:14

And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds
In the wilderness of Ziph, in high and strong rocks there, as it seems to be explained by what follows:

and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph;
which had its name from a city in the tribe of Judah, of which (See Gill on Joshua 15:55);

and Saul sought him every day;
for though he did not go forth from the place where he was to Keilah, yet hearing which way he went, and whereabout he lurked, he sought after him continually, if haply he might find him:

but God delivered him not into his hand:
which suggests, that it was only the providence of God that secured him, or, in all probability, such was the diligence of Saul, that he would have found him out, and he must have fallen into his hands, as he expected.

1 Samuel 23:14 In-Context

12 Then David said, "Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will surrender you."
13 Then David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the pursuit.
14 David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand
15 Now David became aware that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh.
16 And Jonathan, Saul's son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Joshua 15:55; 2 Chronicles 11:8
  • 2. Psalms 32:7
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