1 Samuel 23:14-18

New English Translation

¹⁴ David stayed in the strongholds that were in the desert and in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. Saul looked for him all the time,^[a] but God did not deliver David^[b] into his hands. ¹⁵ David realized^[c] that Saul had come out to seek his life; at that time David was in Horesh in the wilderness of Ziph.

¹⁶ Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him^[d] through God. ¹⁷ He said to him, “Don’t be afraid! For the hand of my father Saul cannot find you. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul realizes this.” ¹⁸ When the two of them had made a covenant before the Lord, David stayed at Horesh, but Jonathan went to his house.