1 Samuel 23:23
New International Version
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 him down among all the clans of Judah.”

New Living Translation
Discover his hiding places, and come back when you are sure. Then I’ll go with you. And if he is in the area at all, I’ll track him down, even if I have to search every hiding place in Judah!”

English Standard Version
See therefore and take note of all the lurking places where he hides, and come back to me with sure information. Then I will go with you. And if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”

Berean Standard Bible
Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.”

King James Bible
See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

New King James Version
See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides; and come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. And it shall be, if he is in the land, that I will search for him throughout all the clans of Judah.”

New American Standard Bible
So look, and learn about all the hiding places where he keeps himself hidden, and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”

NASB 1995
“So look, and learn about all the hiding places where he hides himself and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”

NASB 1977
“So look, and learn about all the hiding places where he hides himself, and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and it shall come about if he is in the land that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So see and know about all the hiding places where he hides himself and return to me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”

Amplified Bible
So look, and take note of all the places where he hides and come back to me with the established facts, then I will go with you. If he is [anywhere] in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”

Christian Standard Bible
Investigate all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with accurate information, and I’ll go with you. If it turns out he really is in the region, I’ll search for him among all the clans of Judah.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Look and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with accurate information, and I’ll go with you. If it turns out he really is in the region, I’ll search for him among all the clans of Judah.”

American Standard Version
See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me of a certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.

Contemporary English Version
Find out where all his hiding places are and come back when you're sure. Then I'll go with you. If he is still in the area, or anywhere among the clans of Judah, I'll find him.

English Revised Version
See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me of a certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Watch and learn about all the hiding places where he may be hiding, and come back to me with the facts. Then I'll go with you, and if he's in the country, I'll search for him among all the families of Judah."

Good News Translation
Find out exactly the places where he hides, and be sure to bring back a report to me right away. Then I will go with you, and if he is still in the region, I will hunt him down, even if I have to search the whole land of Judah."

International Standard Version
Investigate and find out all the hiding places there where he hides, and return to me with reliable information. Then I'll go down with you, and if he's in the land, I'll search him out among all the thousands of Judah."

Majority Standard Bible
Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.?

NET Bible
Locate precisely all the places where he hides and return to me with dependable information. Then I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will find him among all the thousands of Judah."

New Heart English Bible
See therefore, and find out all the hiding places where he hides himself, and come back to me when you know for certain, and I will go with you. And it shall happen, if he is in the land, that I will search for him among all the thousands of Judah."

Webster's Bible Translation
See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he is in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

World English Bible
See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides himself; and come again to me with certainty, and I will go with you. It shall happen, if he is in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And see and know of all the hiding places where he hides himself, and you have turned back prepared to me, and I have gone with you, and it has been, if he is in the land, that I have searched him out through all the thousands of Judah.”

Young's Literal Translation
And see and know of all the hiding-places where he hideth himself, and ye have turned back unto me prepared, and I have gone with you, and it hath been, if he is in the land, that I have searched him out through all the thousands of Judah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And see ye, and know of all the hiding places where he will hide there, and turn back to me prepared, and I went with you: and it being if he is on earth, and I sought him in all the thousands of Judah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Consider and see all his lurking holes, wherein he is bid, and return to me with the certainty of the thing, that I may go with you. And if be should even go down into the earth to hide himself, I will search him out in all the thousands of Juda.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Consider and seek out all his hiding places, in which he may be concealed. And return to me with certainty about the matter, so that I may go with you. But if he would even press himself into the earth, I will search him out, amid all the thousands of Judah.”

New American Bible
Look around and learn in which of all the various hiding places he is holding out. Then come back to me with reliable information, and I will go with you. If he is in the region, I will track him down out of all the families of Judah.”

New Revised Standard Version
Look around and learn all the hiding places where he lurks, and come back to me with sure information. Then I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Know therefore and learn of all the lurking places where he hides himself, and return to me, to inform me with certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in the land, I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And know and see from all the hiding places where he hides, and return to me to prepare me, and I shall go with you, so that if he is in the land, I shall search for him among all the thousands of Yehuda”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and come ye back to me with the certainty, and I will go with you; and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Take notice, then, and learn, and I will go with you; and it shall come to pass that if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Juda.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Pursues David
22Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning. 23Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.” 24So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon in the Arabah south of Jeshimon,…

Cross References
Psalm 37:32
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,

Psalm 10:8-9
He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. / He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.

Psalm 31:4
You free me from the net laid out for me, for You are my refuge.

Psalm 54:3
For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah

Psalm 56:6
They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

Psalm 140:5
The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah

Proverbs 1:11-12
If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.

Proverbs 12:6
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

Jeremiah 11:18-19
And the LORD informed me, so I knew. Then You showed me their deeds. / For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”

Jeremiah 18:22
Let a cry be heard from their houses when You suddenly bring raiders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet.

Matthew 26:4
and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

Matthew 26:16
So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Mark 14:1
Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.

Mark 14:10-11
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Luke 22:2-6
and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they feared the people. / Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. ...


Treasury of Scripture

See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides himself, and come you again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

take knowledge

Mark 14:1,10,11
After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death…

John 18:2,3
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples…

I will search

2 Samuel 17:11-13
Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person…

1 Kings 18:10
As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.

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

the thousands

Numbers 10:36
And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.

Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

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Certainty Hides Hideth Hiding Information Judah Lurking Note Places Search Sure Thousands Throughout
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Certainty Hides Hideth Hiding Information Judah Lurking Note Places Search Sure Thousands Throughout
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














See therefore
The Hebrew word for "see" is "ra'ah," which implies not just physical sight but also understanding and discernment. In this context, it suggests a call to vigilance and careful observation. Saul is instructing his men to be perceptive and thorough in their reconnaissance. This reflects a broader biblical theme of the importance of spiritual discernment and awareness in the life of a believer.

learn about all the hiding places
The phrase "learn about" comes from the Hebrew "yada," meaning to know intimately or to ascertain by seeing. This implies a deep, investigative process. The "hiding places" refer to the various locations David might use to evade capture. Historically, this reflects the rugged terrain of Judah, filled with caves and strongholds, which provided natural refuges. Spiritually, it can symbolize the hidden places in our hearts where we might try to hide from God, yet He knows them all.

where he hides
The act of hiding, "chaba" in Hebrew, suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal oneself. David's hiding is not just physical but also strategic, as he seeks God's guidance to evade Saul. This can be seen as a metaphor for seeking refuge in God during times of trouble, as David often expressed in the Psalms.

come back to me with sure information
The phrase "sure information" indicates the need for reliable intelligence. Saul demands certainty before he acts, reflecting a desire for control and assurance. In a spiritual sense, this can be contrasted with the faith that trusts in God's unseen plans, rather than relying solely on human certainty.

Then I will go with you
Saul's willingness to personally lead the search underscores his determination to capture David. This phrase highlights the personal involvement and responsibility in pursuing one's goals, albeit in Saul's case, misguided. It serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning our pursuits with God's will.

if he is in the land
This conditional phrase acknowledges the possibility of David's escape, showing Saul's awareness of David's cunning and God's providence over him. It reflects the uncertainty of human plans and the need to recognize God's sovereignty over all circumstances.

I will search him out
The determination to "search out" indicates a thorough and relentless pursuit. The Hebrew root "baqash" implies seeking with intent and purpose. This can be seen as a negative example of how zeal can be misdirected when not aligned with God's purposes.

among all the clans of Judah
The mention of "clans of Judah" situates the narrative within the tribal structure of ancient Israel. Judah, being David's own tribe, would naturally be a place of refuge and support for him. This highlights the theme of loyalty and kinship, as well as the complex social dynamics at play. Spiritually, it reminds us of the importance of community and the support of fellow believers in times of trial.

(23) Throughout all the thousands of Judah.--The "thousands" (Heb., alaphim), as we learn from Numbers 1:16; Numbers 10:4, were the greater tribal divisions. Judah was especially mentioned by Saul as being "the tribe of David," and where he found probably the larger number of his adherents. It was too, from its importance, the typical tribe, certainly in the southern part of Canaan.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Observe
וּרְא֣וּ (ū·rə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

and find out
וּדְע֗וּ (ū·ḏə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3045: To know

all
מִכֹּ֤ל (mik·kōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the places
הַמַּֽחֲבֹאִים֙ (ham·ma·ḥă·ḇō·’îm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4224: A hiding place

where
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he hides.
יִתְחַבֵּ֣א (yiṯ·ḥab·bê)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide

Then come back
וְשַׁבְתֶּ֤ם (wə·šaḇ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֵלַי֙ (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

me with
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

certainty,
נָכ֔וֹן (nā·ḵō·wn)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

and I will go
וְהָלַכְתִּ֖י (wə·hā·laḵ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

with you.
אִתְּכֶ֑ם (’it·tə·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

he is
יֶשְׁנ֣וֹ (yeš·nōw)
Adverb | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

in the land,
בָאָ֔רֶץ (ḇā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

I will search him out
וְחִפַּשְׂתִּ֣י (wə·ḥip·paś·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2664: To seek, to conceal oneself, mask

among all
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the clans
אַלְפֵ֥י (’al·p̄ê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 505: A thousand

of Judah.”
יְהוּדָֽה׃ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites


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OT History: 1 Samuel 23:23 See therefore and take knowledge of all (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 23:22
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