Chapter Twenty-Three

David’s deliverance of the city of Keilah. David’s wanderings in the wildernesses of Ziph and Maon.

1 Samuel 23:1. And they told David, saying: Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors. Keilah is to the northwest of Hebron.

1 Samuel 23:2. And David inquired of the Lord, saying: Shall I go and strike these Philistines? And the Lord said to David: Go, strike the Philistines and save Keilah. “And David inquired of the Lord”—by means of the Lord’s sanctuary (1 Sam 23:6).

1 Samuel 23:14. And David remained in the wilderness in strongholds and on a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day; but God did not deliver David into his hand. Wilderness of Ziph. See note to 1 Sam 22:5.

1 Samuel 23:17. And he said to him: Do not be afraid, for the hand of my father Saul shall not find you; and you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be second to you; and Saul my father knows this. “And Saul my father knows this.” See 1 Sam 20:30-31.

1 Samuel 23:19. And the Ziphites went to Saul in Gibeah, saying: Behold, David is hiding with us in the strongholds, in the forest, on the hill of Hachilah, which is on the right of Jeshimon; Ziphites—inhabitants of the region of Ziph. See note to 1 Sam 22:5.

1 Samuel 23:21. And Saul said to them: Blessed are you by the Lord, for you have shown compassion on me; “For you have shown compassion on me.” Cf. 1 Sam 22:7-8.

1 Samuel 23:24. And they went up and went to Ziph before Saul. And David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah, on the right side of Jeshimon. Wilderness of Maon. See note to 1 Sam 22:5.