1 Samuel 23:15-24

New International Version

¹⁵ While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that^[a] Saul had come out to take his life.^{(A) 16} And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength^(B) in God. ¹⁷ “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king^(C) over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” ¹⁸ The two of them made a covenant^(D) before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.

¹⁹ The Ziphites^(E) went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us^(F) in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah,^(G) south of Jeshimon? ²⁰ Now, Your Majesty, come down whenever it pleases you to do so, and we will be responsible for giving^(H) him into your hands.”

²¹ Saul replied, “The Lord bless^(I) you for your concern^(J) for me. 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 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^(K) him down among all the clans of Judah.”

²⁴ So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon,^(L) in the Arabah south of Jeshimon.^(M)