1 Samuel 23 24

1 Samuel 23:24 kjv

And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

1 Samuel 23:24 nkjv

So they arose and went to Ziph before Saul. But David and his men were in the Wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

1 Samuel 23:24 niv

So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon.

1 Samuel 23:24 esv

And they arose and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon.

1 Samuel 23:24 nlt

So the men of Ziph returned home ahead of Saul. Meanwhile, David and his men had moved into the wilderness of Maon in the Arabah Valley south of Jeshimon.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 24 Meaning

1 Samuel 23:24 details the tactical positions of King Saul's forces and David's men. It describes the Ziphites leading King Saul in pursuit towards the town of Ziph, while simultaneously specifying David's vulnerable location in the wilderness of Maon, within the plain of Arabah, south of Jeshimon. This concise description sets the immediate geographical scene, highlighting David's perilous situation as he is increasingly cornered in a desolate, yet known, landscape.

1 Samuel 23 24 Context

First Samuel chapter 23 encapsulates a harrowing period in David's life, defined by his status as a hunted fugitive from King Saul's murderous jealousy. The chapter begins with David delivering Keilah from the Philistines but soon revealing Saul's treacherous plot to corner him there. David constantly seeks divine guidance through Abiathar and the ephod, discerning God's will to ensure his safety. Verse 24 is strategically placed after the Ziphites' direct betrayal of David to Saul, prompting Saul to mobilize a large-scale hunting party. The verse meticulously details the initial movements of this intensified pursuit, showing Saul led by the treacherous Ziphites towards Ziph, while simultaneously providing a precise geographical fix on David's extremely vulnerable position deep within the unforgiving Judean wilderness near Maon. This sets a tense stage, leading directly to David's dramatic near-capture in the verses that follow, ultimately highlighting the divine intervention that saves him from Saul's grasp. The context emphasizes the contrast between relentless human malice and steadfast divine protection.

1 Samuel 23 24 Word analysis

• And they arose (וַיָּקוּמוּ, vayyakumu): From qum, "to rise up," indicating prompt and deliberate action. It conveys the immediate response of the Ziphites and Saul's party to the intelligence, showing their swift, determined start to the chase.
• and went (וַיֵּלְכוּ, vayyeləḵu): From halak, "to walk" or "to go," denoting the active movement of the pursuers towards their target location.
• to Ziph (צִיפָה, Tziphah): A town in the Judean hill country (Josh 15:55), infamous for its inhabitants' betrayal of David to Saul (1 Sam 23:19). Its mention signifies the strategic location that David attempted to use as a hiding place, which became a point of danger due to disloyalty.
• before Saul (לִפְנֵי שָׁאוּל, lifnei Sha'ul): "Before" here implies that the Ziphites were leading or guiding Saul and his men. It emphasizes their collaborative role, acting as scouts or informants directing the king's forces directly to David's purported hiding places.
• But David (וְדָוִד, və-David): The Hebrew connective "But" (waw conjunctive) introduces a contrast, shifting focus from the pursuers to David, the pursued. It sets up the parallel, opposing movements of the two parties, highlighting David's isolated and precarious state.
• and his men (וַאֲנָשָׁיו, va'anashav): Refers to David's loyal but often weary followers. Their presence signifies the shared hardship and reliance on David's leadership in their fugitive existence.
• were in the wilderness (בַּמִּדְבָּר, bamidbar): From midbar, "desert" or "uncultivated pastureland." This describes a rugged, often arid region that served as a refuge for David while simultaneously posing harsh survival challenges. It underscores his existence as a displaced person relying on the terrain for cover.
• of Maon (מָעוֹן, Ma'on): Another town in Judah (Josh 15:55), located southeast of Hebron, near the wilderness of Ziph. Its proximity highlights David's continued movements within a hostile environment where betrayal was ever-present, as later evidenced by Nabal of Maon (1 Sam 25).
• in the Arabah (בָּעֲרָבָה, ba'aravah): Aravah (ערבה) refers to a desolate, flat plain, often denoting the Great Rift Valley area or a similar arid plateau. Its inclusion specifies the topographical challenge, underscoring the extreme nature of David's concealment efforts.
• on the south of (מִיָּמִין, miyyamin): Literally "from the right," meaning "to the south" in the Hebrew geographical orientation (facing east). This precise directional detail underscores the accurate intelligence Saul was receiving, suggesting David's hiding place was well-known to his betrayers.
• Jeshimon (הַיְשִׁימוֹן, hayyeshimon): Meaning "the wasteland" or "the desolation." This refers to the notoriously desolate, eastern part of the Judean Wilderness overlooking the Dead Sea. The phrase "south of Jeshimon" pinpoints David in an exceptionally remote and harsh region, emphasizing his desperation to evade Saul's capture.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And they arose and went to Ziph before Saul.": This phrase captures the immediate, focused initiative of Saul and the Ziphites. "They" denotes the local Ziphites, who, having betrayed David, are now actively facilitating Saul's hunt. The act of "leading Saul" ("before Saul") implies intimate knowledge of the terrain and an eager willingness to assist the king in cornering David, reflecting a clear alignment against David.
• "But David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of Jeshimon.": This detailed geographical designation contrasts sharply with Saul's active pursuit. It paints a picture of David and his small band, isolated and deeply embedded in a sequence of increasingly desolate terrains—a "wilderness," a "plain," and finally a specific region within "the wasteland." This extreme specificity intensifies the narrative tension, conveying the almost impossible position David was in, emphasizing his vulnerability and the effectiveness of Saul's network.

1 Samuel 23 24 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on the geographical details—Ziph, Maon, Arabah, Jeshimon—reflects the vital role of local knowledge and the environment in ancient warfare and survival. The Ziphites' deep familiarity with these wilderness regions allowed them to effectively guide Saul. Conversely, David's extensive time hiding in these challenging landscapes equipped him with unparalleled expertise in wilderness survival, enabling him to evade Saul for so long. The meticulous reporting of such details validates the biblical narrative against actual topography, enhancing its credibility. This passage also vividly illustrates the enduring theme of God's protection for His chosen, even when human opposition is at its most relentless and geographically precise. It affirms that David's future kingship was not a matter of his own military prowess or strategic acumen in hiding, but of divine favor, ensuring that no pursuit, however determined or well-informed, could ultimately succeed against God's purpose.

1 Samuel 23 24 Commentary

1 Samuel 23:24 serves as the critical scene-setting verse for Saul's decisive attempt to capture David following the Ziphites' betrayal. It presents a stark juxtaposition: Saul, aided by local informers, is on a direct course to Ziph with the intent to entrap David. Meanwhile, David and his men are strategically positioned in an even more remote and desolate part of the Judean wilderness—Maon, the Arabah, south of Jeshimon—highlighting their desperate need for concealment. This precise geographical detail not only establishes historical verifiability but also heightens the tension, demonstrating how perilously close David was to being captured. The verse implicitly showcases the efficacy of Saul's human intelligence network and his single-minded resolve. However, this human pursuit is merely the stage upon which God's ultimate providence will be displayed. Despite David's apparent cornering, this very desperate situation precedes his miraculous deliverance when a timely Philistine raid diverts Saul (1 Sam 23:27-28), proving that no human scheme can thwart God's sovereign plan for His chosen.