1 Samuel 23:14

14 morabatur autem David in deserto in locis firmissimis mansitque in monte solitudinis Ziph quaerebat tamen eum Saul cunctis diebus et non tradidit eum Deus in manus eiu

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 dixitque David si tradent viri Ceilae me et viros qui sunt mecum in manu Saul et dixit Dominus tradent

13 surrexit ergo David et viri eius quasi sescenti et egressi de Ceila huc atque illuc vagabantur incerti nuntiatumque est Saul quod fugisset David de Ceila quam ob rem dissimulavit exire

14 morabatur autem David in deserto in locis firmissimis mansitque in monte solitudinis Ziph quaerebat tamen eum Saul cunctis diebus et non tradidit eum Deus in manus eiu

15 et vidit David quod egressus esset Saul ut quaereret animam eius porro David erat in deserto Ziph in silva

16 et surrexit Ionathan filius Saul et abiit ad David in silva et confortavit manus eius in Deo dixitque ei