1 Samuel 23:14
New International Version
David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

New Living Translation
David now stayed in the strongholds of the wilderness and in the hill country of Ziph. Saul hunted him day after day, but God didn’t let Saul find him.

English Standard Version
And David remained in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.

Berean Standard Bible
And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand.

King James Bible
And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

New King James Version
And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.

New American Standard Bible
David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand him over to him.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
And 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.

Legacy Standard Bible
And 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 give him into his hand.

Amplified Bible
David stayed in the wilderness in strongholds, in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand David over to him.

Christian Standard Bible
David then stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand David over to him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David then stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand David over to him.

American Standard Version
And David abode 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 delivered him not into his hand.

Contemporary English Version
David stayed in hideouts in the hill country of Ziph Desert. Saul kept searching, but God never let Saul catch him.

English Revised Version
And David abode in the wilderness in the strong holds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David lived in fortified camps in the desert, and he lived in fortified camps in the mountains of the desert of Ziph. Saul was always searching for him, but God didn't let him capture David.

Good News Translation
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.

International Standard Version
David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and he lived in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not let David slip into Saul's control.

Majority Standard Bible
And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand.

NET Bible
David stayed in the strongholds that were in the desert and in the hill country of the desert of Ziph. Saul looked for him all the time, but God did not deliver David into his hand.

New Heart English Bible
David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but the LORD did not deliver him into his hand.

Webster's Bible Translation
And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

World English Bible
David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God didn’t deliver him into his hand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David abides in the wilderness, in fortresses, and abides in the hill-country, in the wilderness of Ziph; and Saul seeks him [for] all the days, and God has not given him into his hand.

Young's Literal Translation
And David abideth in the wilderness, in fortresses, and abideth in the hill-country, in the wilderness of Ziph; and Saul seeketh him all the days, and God hath not given him into his hand.

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will dwell in the desert in fastnesses, and he will dwell in the mountain in the desert of Ziph. And Saul will seek him all the days, and God save him not into his hand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But David abode in the desert in strong holds, and he remained in a mountain of the desert of Ziph, in a woody hill. And Saul sought him always: but the Lord delivered him not into his hands.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then David stayed in the desert, in very strong places. And he stayed on a mount in the wilderness of Ziph, on a shady mount. Nevertheless, Saul was seeking him every day. But the Lord did not deliver him into his hands.

New American Bible
David now lived in the strongholds in the wilderness, or in the barren hill country near Ziph. Though Saul sought him continually, the LORD did not deliver David into his hand.

New Revised Standard Version
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 did not give him into his hand.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David abode in the wilderness of Misroth, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David dwelt in the wilderness of Metsruth, and he dwelt in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph, and Shaul searched for him all of their days, and God did not hand him over into his hand
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David abode 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 delivered him not into his hand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he dwelt in Maserem in the wilderness, in the narrow passes; and dwelt in the wilderness in mount Ziph, in the dry country. And Saul sought him continually, but the Lord delivered him not into his hands.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Pursues David
13Then David and his men, about six hundred strong, set out and departed from Keilah, moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he declined to go forth. 14And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand. 15While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life.…

Cross References
Psalm 54:3-4
For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah / Surely God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Psalm 31:20
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.

Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 59:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me.

Psalm 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. / I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 121:7-8
The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. / The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.

Psalm 124:8
Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 142:5
I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Luke 4:29-30
They got up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him over the cliff. / But Jesus passed through the crowd and went on His way.

John 10:39
At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.


Treasury of Scripture

And David stayed in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

a mountain

Psalm 11:1-3
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? …

the wilderness

Joshua 15:24,55
Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth, …

Saul

1 Samuel 27:1
And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

Psalm 54:3,4
For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah…

Proverbs 1:16
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

but God

1 Samuel 23:7
And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.

Psalm 32:7
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Psalm 37:32,33
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him…

Jump to Previous
Abideth Abode Country David Deliver Delivered Desert Hand Hill Hill-Country Hills Holds Kept Mountain Places Safe Saul Searched Searching Seeketh Sought Strong Strongholds Waiting Waste Wilderness Ziph
Jump to Next
Abideth Abode Country David Deliver Delivered Desert Hand Hill Hill-Country Hills Holds Kept Mountain Places Safe Saul Searched Searching Seeketh Sought Strong Strongholds Waiting Waste Wilderness Ziph
1 Samuel 23
1. David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah
7. God showing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites,
13. he escapes from Keilah
14. In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him
19. The Ziphites discover him to Saul
25. At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines
29. He dwells at En Gedi














David stayed in the wilderness strongholds
The phrase "David stayed in the wilderness strongholds" highlights David's strategic choice to seek refuge in the natural fortresses of the wilderness. The Hebrew word for "strongholds" is "מְצָדוֹת" (metzadot), which refers to fortified places or natural defenses. This reflects David's reliance on God's provision of safety through the rugged terrain. Historically, the wilderness of Judah, where Ziph is located, is characterized by its harsh, desolate landscape, offering both concealment and protection. David's stay in these strongholds symbolizes his dependence on God for security amidst adversity.

and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph
The "hills of the Desert of Ziph" were part of the Judean wilderness, a region known for its barren and rugged terrain. The Hebrew word for "desert" is "מִדְבָּר" (midbar), which can also mean "wilderness" or "pastureland." This area was sparsely populated, making it an ideal place for David to evade Saul. The historical context reveals that the Desert of Ziph was a place of testing and refinement for David, much like the wilderness experiences of other biblical figures such as Moses and Elijah. It was here that David learned to trust in God's guidance and provision.

Day after day Saul searched for him
The phrase "Day after day Saul searched for him" underscores Saul's relentless pursuit of David. The Hebrew verb "בִּקֵּשׁ" (biqqesh) means "to seek" or "to search," indicating Saul's persistent and determined efforts to capture David. This pursuit reflects Saul's growing paranoia and fear of losing his kingdom, as well as his disobedience to God's will. Saul's actions serve as a cautionary tale of how jealousy and insecurity can lead to destructive behavior. Despite Saul's efforts, the narrative emphasizes that human plans cannot thwart God's purposes.

but God did not deliver David into his hands
The phrase "but God did not deliver David into his hands" highlights the divine protection over David. The Hebrew word for "deliver" is "נָתַן" (natan), meaning "to give" or "to hand over." This indicates that despite Saul's efforts, it was ultimately God's sovereignty that kept David safe. This assurance of divine protection is a recurring theme throughout David's life, illustrating God's faithfulness to His promises. Theologically, this phrase reassures believers that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire. It serves as a reminder that God's plans for His people cannot be thwarted by human opposition.

(14) The wilderness of Ziph.--This wilderness probably lies between Hebron and En-gedi. Some of these "stations" in the wanderings of the future king are only doubtfully identified. Cowper's musical--though perhaps, according to our recent canons of taste, old-fashioned--lines well describe the Psalmist-king's weary wanderings during this portion of his chequered career:--

"See Judah's promised king bereft of all,

Driven out an exile from the face of Saul.

To distant caves the lonely wanderer flies,

To seek that peace a tyrant's frown denies.

His soul exults; hope animates his lays;

The sense of mercy kindles into praise;

And wilds familiar with the lion s roar

Ring with ecstatic sounds unheard before."

COWPER.

Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him.--This is merely a general remark, and intended to cover a long period of time, including the remaining portion of Saul's reign, during which David was perpetually exposed to Saul's attempts to destroy him. It quietly mentions also that though Saul was armed with all the power of the king in Israel, he was powerless, for the invisible King of Israel declined to give this hated David into his hand.

Verses 14, 15. - Strong holds. Natural fortresses in the woods and mountains are meant, and places difficult of access. The wilderness of Ziph. This lay to the south of Hebron, upon the edge of the great desert of Judah (Joshua 15:55). Saul sought him every day. The pursuit was maintained constantly, with men always spying David's movements, and ready to report to Saul any opportunity of seizing him; but apparently there was no body of men at present perpetually in quest of him. In a wood. Many rightly regard this as a proper name, Horesh, and as the same place as the mountain mentioned in ver. 14; for, as Conder remarks ('Tent Work,' 2:89), "a moment's reflection will convince any traveller that, as the dry, porous formation of the plateau must be unchanged since David's time, no wood of trees can then have flourished over this unwatered and sun-scorched region ."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And David
דָּוִ֤ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

stayed
וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in the wilderness
בַּמִּדְבָּר֙ (bam·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

strongholds
בַּמְּצָד֔וֹת (bam·mə·ṣā·ḏō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4679: Fastness, a stronghold

and in the hill country
בָּהָ֖ר (bā·hār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

of the Wilderness
בְּמִדְבַּר־ (bə·miḏ·bar-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

of Ziph.
זִ֑יף (zîp̄)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2128: Ziph -- a son of Judah, also a city Southeast of Hebron and a city in southern Judah

Day
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

after day
הַיָּמִ֔ים (hay·yā·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

Saul
שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

searched for him,
וַיְבַקְשֵׁ֤הוּ (way·ḇaq·šê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

but God
אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

would not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

deliver [David]
נְתָנ֥וֹ (nə·ṯā·nōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

into his hand.
בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ (bə·yā·ḏōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT History: 1 Samuel 23:14 David abode in the wilderness (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 23:13
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