1 Samuel 23 15

1 Samuel 23:15 kjv

And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

1 Samuel 23:15 nkjv

So David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in a forest.

1 Samuel 23:15 niv

While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.

1 Samuel 23:15 esv

David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh.

1 Samuel 23:15 nlt

One day near Horesh, David received the news that Saul was on the way to Ziph to search for him and kill him.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 15 Meaning

David was in the wilderness of Ziph, a place of refuge from Saul, yet he was keenly aware that King Saul had actively sought him out with the express intent of taking his life. This verse highlights David’s continuous state of vigilance and the severe threat he faced from the ruling monarch, despite his innocence and God’s anointing upon him. It underscores David's knowledge of the constant danger and Saul's unrelenting pursuit, indicating the immediate and lethal peril.

1 Samuel 23 15 Context

1 Samuel chapter 23 recounts David's precarious situation as he continued to flee from Saul's relentless pursuit. Having just delivered Keilah from the Philistines, David inquired of the Lord and was warned that the men of Keilah would betray him to Saul. Consequently, David and his men, now numbering about 600, departed from Keilah and began to move through various strongholds and hiding places in the wilderness. Verse 15 specifically places David in the wilderness of Ziph, a remote, rugged, and somewhat arid region in the tribal territory of Judah, south of Hebron. This geographical detail underscores David's isolation and constant exposure to danger. Historically and culturally, kings in this era held absolute power, and any perceived rival or threat to the throne, especially one as popular and divinely favored as David, would be hunted mercilessly. Saul's irrational jealousy, fueled by an evil spirit and a deep-seated fear of losing his kingship, drove him to extraordinary lengths to eliminate David, seeing him as a direct threat to his dynasty rather than an innocent loyal servant chosen by God. The "wilderness of Ziph" (מידבר זיף, midbar Ziph) becomes a poignant symbol of David's exilic state and reliance on God’s immediate guidance and protection. This situation also indirectly polemicizes against the pagan notion that kings ruled by their own absolute authority, showing that Saul’s power was ultimately subservient to God’s plan.

1 Samuel 23 15 Word analysis

• And (וַיֵּדַע, wə-yyēda’): The Hebrew waw connective implies a continuation or consequence. Here, it introduces the knowledge David gained, which immediately follows a narrative about his movements.
• David (דָוִד, dāwid): Refers to David, the son of Jesse, the divinely chosen king who was currently in flight from the reigning king, Saul. He is presented here as the aware and active subject.
• knew (יֵדַע, yada’): The Hebrew verb yada denotes not merely intellectual apprehension but often a deep, experiential, and certain knowing. David had profound, reliable knowledge of Saul’s actions and intentions, likely through reports, spies, or even divine revelation, given his consistent practice of inquiring of the Lord. It signifies a settled conviction based on evident facts.
• that (כִּי, kî): A conjunction introducing a direct statement or the content of David’s knowledge.
• Saul (שָׁאוּל, šā’ûl): Refers to King Saul, Israel’s first king, who was now driven by paranoia and jealousy to pursue and kill his former general and son-in-law, David. His name contrasts with the context of him seeking another’s life.
• was come out (יָצָא, yāṣā’): The verb yāṣā’ signifies "to go out," "to come forth." Here, it indicates Saul's active departure from his capital or current location specifically to engage in the hunt for David. It's an active, deliberate pursuit, not accidental encounter.
• to seek (לְבַקֵּשׁ, ləvaqqēš): The infinitive form of baqqēš, meaning "to seek," "to search for," but with a strong connotation of persistent and earnest seeking. When paired with "life," it denotes a very determined and malicious intent.
• his life (נַפְשׁוֹ, napšōw): From nephesh, meaning "soul," "life," "person." In this context, "to seek his life" (לְבַקֵּשׁ נַפְשׁוֹ) is a common biblical idiom meaning "to seek to kill him" or "to seek to destroy him." It directly conveys murderous intent.
• in the wilderness of Ziph (בְּמִדְבַּר־זִיף, bəmiḏbar-Zîp̄):
  • in (בְּ, bə-): A preposition indicating location, "in," "at."
  • the wilderness (מִדְבַּר, midbar): Denotes an uncultivated, sparsely populated, and often desolate area suitable for grazing, but also for hiding. It implies hardship, limited resources, and isolation. This was David’s refuge, but also a vulnerable place.
  • of Ziph (זִיף, Zîp̄): Ziph was a specific town and the surrounding wilderness area located southeast of Hebron in the Judean desert. It was known for its inhabitants' later betrayal of David to Saul (1 Sam 23:19, 26:1). Its rugged terrain made it suitable for hiding, yet its proximity to a community also meant potential for discovery and treachery.

• "David knew that Saul had come out": This phrase emphasizes David's clear understanding of Saul's malicious intent and proactive efforts. It's not a rumor, but a confirmed fact to David. This knowledge informs David’s subsequent actions, primarily his reliance on God's guidance.
• "to seek his life": This specific idiom (לְבַקֵּשׁ נַפְשׁוֹ) explicitly states Saul's murderous aim. It’s a recurring phrase in scripture for relentless, hostile pursuit intended to kill, often highlighting the desperation of the pursued. It portrays Saul not just as pursuing, but as a predator hunting prey.
• "in the wilderness of Ziph": The specific location adds to the tension. The "wilderness" highlights David's vulnerability and lack of established protection, relying on rugged terrain. Naming "Ziph" foreshadows the later betrayal by the Ziphites, adding a layer of dramatic irony and emphasizing the ever-present threat not just from Saul but also from unfaithful fellow countrymen.

1 Samuel 23 15 Bonus section

The narrative of David in the wilderness, as highlighted by 1 Sam 23:15, frequently employs topographical details to emphasize his dependence on divine aid. The "wilderness of Ziph" is not just a geographical marker but underscores the severe environmental and human challenges David faced. These arid and remote regions were perceived as liminal spaces—between civilization and chaos, and often where divine encounters or extreme testing occurred. David’s continuous flight from Saul established a long period of training, testing, and refining of his character. During this time, he authored many Psalms (e.g., Ps 54, Ps 57, Ps 142) which reflect his prayers, laments, and ultimate trust in God amidst such life-threatening persecutions. This constant state of flight transformed David into a skilled guerilla leader, deeply attuned to his environment and profoundly dependent on God, thereby shaping him into a king who intimately understood the hardships of his people. The contrast between Saul's royal army hunting down one man and David's few followers hiding in caves showcases God's protection of the seemingly weaker party, a recurring biblical theme demonstrating divine strength through human weakness.

1 Samuel 23 15 Commentary

Verse 15 concisely paints a picture of David's grim reality: though innocent, he lived under the shadow of Saul's determined plot to assassinate him. David’s "knowing" was a deep, experiential awareness of perpetual danger, not just abstract information. This reality forced David into a nomadic, dependent life in desolate regions like the wilderness of Ziph, a place both of hiding and intense vulnerability. Saul's active "coming out to seek his life" highlights the king's unrighteous and relentless obsession. This pursuit represents an evil king's rebellion against God's chosen, setting a theological pattern seen throughout biblical history where the wicked oppose God's anointed. Despite the immense pressure, David continued to lean on divine guidance, showing faith amidst grave peril, knowing God was his ultimate protector. This struggle served as a crucible, refining David's trust in the Lord and preparing him for kingship, proving his absolute reliance not on human strength or location but solely on God's sovereign protection.