1 Samuel 23:14-18

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹⁴ David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but the Lord^[a] did not give him into his hand.^(A)

David Eludes Saul in the Wilderness

¹⁵ David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh when he learned that^[b] Saul had come out to seek his life. ¹⁶ Saul’s son Jonathan set out and came to David at Horesh; there he strengthened his hand through the Lord.^{[c](B) 17} He said to him, “Do not be afraid, for the hand of my father Saul shall not find you; you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be second to you; my father Saul also knows that this is so.”^{(C) 18} Then the two of them made a covenant before the Lord; David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.^(D)