1 Samuel 23 14

1 Samuel 23:14 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 23:14 nkjv

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.

1 Samuel 23:14 niv

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.

1 Samuel 23:14 esv

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.

1 Samuel 23:14 nlt

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.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 14 Meaning

1 Samuel 23:14 details David's perilous existence as he evaded King Saul's relentless pursuit. Despite David taking refuge in natural fortifications within the desolate Wilderness of Ziph and Saul consistently searching for him, God actively prevented David from falling into Saul's control. The verse emphasizes that Saul's intense efforts were ultimately thwarted by divine intervention, not by human strategy alone.

1 Samuel 23 14 Context

This verse is set amidst King Saul's increasingly desperate and relentless pursuit of David, whom he views as a threat to his throne. David, previously acclaimed for his victory over Goliath and beloved by the people, is now a fugitive, having been anointed by Samuel as the next king of Israel. Earlier in chapter 23, David and his men had delivered the Philistine-threatened city of Keilah, but learned that its inhabitants would betray him to Saul. Forced to constantly move to evade capture, David depended heavily on divine guidance, often inquiring of the Lord through the ephod. Saul, driven by jealousy, fear, and an apparent divine judgment upon his reign, dedicates his resources to tracking David down, often acting contrary to God's will. The Wilderness of Ziph, a rugged, isolated, and desolate region southeast of Hebron, provided both refuge and significant challenge for David, underscoring his precarious existence. This period marks a profound time of testing and refining for David, who, despite being the Lord's anointed, experiences great hardship, trusting entirely in God's providence.

1 Samuel 23 14 Word analysis

• And David: (וַיֵּשֶׁב דָּוִד, waYYēšev Dāwiḏ) David, already anointed as Israel's future king, is the subject, highlighting the divine plan unfolding amidst human conflict.
• remained: (וַיֵּשֶׁב, wayyeshev) Implies more than a passing visit; David had settled or continually dwelt in these places for survival, indicating a sustained state of exile and danger. The Hebrew root also suggests 'to sit,' emphasizing stability in a turbulent situation.
• in the wilderness: (בַּמִּדְבָּר, bammidbar) A semi-arid, uncultivated, rugged land. In biblical narratives, the wilderness is often a place of testing, refuge, and divine encounters (e.g., Israel's wandering, Elijah's flight, Jesus' temptation).
• in strongholds: (בַּמְּצָדוֹת, bammətsadot) Natural fortresses like caves, rocky cliffs, or fortified positions. These were rugged, often inaccessible locations, vital for defense against Saul's larger forces. The word connects to concepts of 'hunting' or 'lying in wait,' suggesting a precarious balance between predator (Saul) and prey (David).
• and remained in the mountains: (וַיֵּשֶׁב בָּהָר, waYYēšev bāHār) Further describes David's refuge, indicating the high, difficult terrain that offered both concealment and strategic vantage points. Mountains are often symbols of stability or, conversely, isolation.
• in the Wilderness of Ziph: (מִדְבַּר זִיף, miḏbar Zîf) A specific desolate region in Judah, south-east of Hebron. This precise geographical detail adds realism and highlights the local support (or lack thereof) David faced; the Ziphites notoriously betrayed David to Saul later in the chapter.
• And Saul: (וְשָׁאוּל, wĕŠā’ûl) The reigning, but disobedient, king of Israel. His actions are driven by jealousy and a desire to retain power.
• sought him: (וַיְבַקְשֵׁהוּ, waYYəvaqšēhu) Implies active, diligent, and intense searching. Saul was not passively waiting but tirelessly hunting David down.
• every day: (כָּל־הַיָּמִים, kol-hayyāmîm) Literally "all the days." This phrase emphasizes the unrelenting and continuous nature of Saul's pursuit, signifying his obsession and David's constant state of peril.
• but God: (וֵאלֹהִים, wē’Ĕlōhîm) A crucial theological pivot. The contrast marked by "but" (waw conjunctive with Elohim) dramatically shifts the focus from human action and cunning to divine will and intervention. "Elohim" signifies God in His majestic power and sovereignty.
• did not deliver him: (לֹא נְתָנוֹ, lō' nəṯānô) This is God's direct and negative action. It was not mere luck or David's exceptional cunning, but God's active, intentional decision to withhold David from Saul's grasp. This highlights God's sovereignty over kings and human endeavors.
• into his hand: (בְּיָדוֹ, bəyāḏô) "Hand" is often a metaphor for power, control, or authority. To be delivered "into his hand" would mean to be captured, harmed, or killed by Saul. God specifically prevented Saul from gaining such control over His anointed.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And David remained... in strongholds, and remained in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph: This segment paints a vivid picture of David's life as a fugitive. It illustrates his vulnerability and the extreme measures he had to take for survival, highlighting dependence on nature's formidable defenses.
• And Saul sought him every day: This phrase captures the sheer determination and obsession of Saul. It emphasizes the constant, oppressive pressure on David and the immense human effort being expended to destroy God's chosen king.
• but God did not deliver him into his hand: This climactic phrase underscores the verse's central theological message. It reveals that the ultimate arbiter of David's fate was not Saul's power or David's hiding spots, but God's divine will and protective hand. It is a powerful statement of God's sovereignty over human hostility and plans.

1 Samuel 23 14 Bonus section

• David's School of Faith: This period in the wilderness served as a crucial training ground for David. Isolated from human comforts and constantly facing death, he was compelled to learn absolute dependence on God, which shaped his character and his psalms (e.g., Psa 57, 142).
• Contrast of Kingship: The verse subtly highlights the difference between Saul's human-driven kingship, characterized by paranoia and self-preservation, and David's God-reliant submission to the divine will, even in suffering. Saul's efforts are futile, while God preserves His chosen.
• God's Active Providence: The phrase "but God did not deliver him" is not a statement about Saul's incompetence or David's cleverness. It is a clear declaration of God's active and direct intervention, preventing the natural outcome of a strong king hunting a fugitive. God was directly involved in every step of David's journey.

1 Samuel 23 14 Commentary

1 Samuel 23:14 is a profound testament to God's unfailing providence and protection of His anointed. It reveals the dynamic interplay between human efforts and divine sovereignty. David, despite being God's chosen king, endured a season of intense testing, constantly moving to evade Saul's persistent hunt. His physical locations – "wilderness," "strongholds," "mountains," "Wilderness of Ziph" – were places of both refuge and profound hardship, forcing absolute reliance on God. Saul's pursuit, "every day," exemplifies human malice and obsessive opposition, deploying the full resources of the monarchy. Yet, the decisive truth comes at the end: "but God did not deliver him into his hand." This is not a passive omission but an active, divine veto. God was not merely observing; He was actively restraining Saul's hand, preserving David for the throne He had destined for him. This period honed David's trust, patience, and leadership skills, preparing him for future kingship. It reminds us that even when evil pursuits seem overwhelming, God's sovereign will ultimately prevails for those walking in His purpose, and no human power can thwart His ultimate plan.