1 Samuel 23:15
1 Samuel 23:15 in Multiple Translations
While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life.
And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the wood.
And David was full of fear, in the knowledge that Saul had come out to take his life; and David was in the waste land of Ziph, in Horesh.
While David was staying at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he found out that Saul was on his way to murder him.
And Dauid sawe that Saul was come out for to seeke his life: and Dauid was in the wildernes of Ziph in the wood.
And David seeth that Saul hath come out to seek his life, and David [is] in the wilderness of Ziph, in a forest.
David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the woods.
And David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life. And David was in the desert of Ziph, in a wood.
While David and his men were at a place named Horesh in Ziph desert, he found out that Saul was coming there to kill him.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 23:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 23:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֣רְא
דָוִ֔ד
כִּֽי
יָצָ֥א
שָׁא֖וּל
לְ/בַקֵּ֣שׁ
אֶת
נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ
וְ/דָוִ֥ד
בְּ/מִדְבַּר
זִ֖יף
בַּ/חֹֽרְשָׁה
וַ/יַּ֣רְא
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דָוִ֔ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יָצָ֥א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
שָׁא֖וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
Shaul
N-proper
לְ/בַקֵּ֣שׁ
bâqash
H1245
to seek
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
וְ/דָוִ֥ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
Conj | N-proper
בְּ/מִדְבַּר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Prep | N-ms
זִ֖יף
Zîyph
H2128
Ziph
N-proper
בַּ/חֹֽרְשָׁה
chôresh
H2793
wood
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 23:15
וַ/יַּ֣רְא
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
דָוִ֔ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יָצָ֥א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
שָׁא֖וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
"Shaul"
N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
לְ/בַקֵּ֣שׁ
bâqash
H1245
"to seek"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.
Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
וְ/דָוִ֥ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
Conj | N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
בְּ/מִדְבַּר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Prep | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
זִ֖יף
Zîyph
H2128
"Ziph"
N-proper
Ziph was a Judahite, son of Jehallelel, and brother of Ziphah and others. His name means battlement and he is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:16. There was also a city in Judah named Ziph.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.4.16; son of: Jehallelel (H3094); brother of: Ziphah (H2129), Tiria (H8493) and Asarel (H0840) § Ziph = "battlement" 1) a son of Jehaleleel, a descendant of Judah, and brother of Ziphah 2) a city in southern Judah, between Ithnan and Telem 3) a city of Judah, southeast of Hebron, between Carmel and Juttah in the highland district
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: Ziph. See also: Joshua 15:24; 1 Samuel 23:24; 2 Chronicles 11:8.
בַּ/חֹֽרְשָׁה
chôresh
H2793
"wood"
Prep | N-proper
This Hebrew word refers to a forest or wooded area, possibly providing materials for crafting. It appears in the Bible as a bough, forest, or shroud.
Definition: 1) wood, wooded height, forest, wooded area.
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: bough, forest, shroud, wood. See also: 1 Samuel 23:15; 1 Samuel 23:19; Isaiah 17:9.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 23:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- 1 Samuel 23:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 23:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 23:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 23:15
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 23:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 23:15
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 23:15
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 23:15
Context — Saul Pursues David
13Then David and his men, about six hundred strong, set out and departed from Keilah, moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he declined to go forth.
14And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand.
15While David was in Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, he saw that Saul had come out to take his life.
16And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, 17saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.”1 Samuel 23:15 Summary
This verse tells us that David was in a place called Horesh in the Wilderness of Ziph, and he saw that Saul had come to try to kill him. Even though David was in danger, he trusted in God to protect him, just like it says in Psalm 23:4 that God is with us even in the darkest valleys. David's experience reminds us that God is always in control, even when things seem scary or uncertain, and we can trust in His love and care for us, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Saul want to take David's life?
Saul was jealous of David's success and the prophecy that David would become king over Israel, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:28 and 1 Samuel 16:13, which fueled his desire to eliminate David as a threat to his throne.
What does the Wilderness of Ziph represent in this context?
The Wilderness of Ziph represents a place of refuge and hiding for David, similar to how Jesus Christ is our refuge and hiding place in times of trouble, as described in Psalm 32:7 and Hebrews 13:6.
How did David know that Saul had come out to take his life?
The Bible does not specify exactly how David knew, but it is likely that David had scouts or spies who informed him of Saul's movements, or perhaps David saw Saul's army approaching, as seen in 1 Samuel 23:14 where it is written that day after day Saul searched for him.
What can we learn from David's experience in this verse?
We can learn that even in the midst of danger and uncertainty, God is still in control and is working out His plan for our lives, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can apply David's experience of trusting in God's protection to my own life, especially in times of fear or uncertainty?
- How can I, like David, seek refuge in God and trust in His sovereignty, even when circumstances seem overwhelming?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust God more, and how can I take steps to deepen my faith and reliance on Him?
- In what ways can I, like Jonathan, be an encouragement and source of strength to others who may be facing difficult circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 23:15
And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life,.... Either he saw him with his bodily eyes from the top of the mountain where he was, 1 Samuel 23:14; or he perceived, he understood by
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 23:15
And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 23:15
David saw; either by information from his spies, or by prospect from the top of the mountain where he was.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 23:15
1 Samuel 23:15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David [was] in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.Ver. 15. And David saw.] By his scouts and intelligence, he well perceived his present danger.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 23:15
(15) In a wood.—Some have understood this as a proper name, Horesh. There is no trace of the wood now. The land lost its ornament of trees centuries ago, through the desolating hand of man.—Van der Velde.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 23:15
15. in a wood] The word chôresh translated “wood” in 1 Samuel 23:15-16; 1 Samuel 23:18-19 does not occur again in Samuel. Lieut. Conder argues from the dry unwatered character of the district that no wood of trees can ever have flourished there, and conjectures that Chôresh was a proper name with a different signification. He found the ruin of Khoreisa and the Valley of Hiresh in the neighbourhood of Ziph. It is perhaps too bold to assert that no wood can ever have existed, and it seems best to understand Chôresh as a quasi-proper name for a district overgrown with brushwood.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 23:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
David - the Unifier by Devern Fromke | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of unity among believers. He emphasizes the need for a unifying factor that will bind them together and keep them functioning a |