1 Samuel 23:16

1 Samuel 23:14–18

David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God didn’t deliver him into his hand. David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the woods. Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David into the woods, and strengthened his hand in God. He said to him, “Don’t be afraid, for the hand of Saul my father won’t find you; and you will be king over Israel, and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.” They both made a covenant before the LORD. Then David stayed in the woods and Jonathan went to his house.

Context note · editorial

While Saul is hunting David, Jonathan goes to meet his endangered friend and strengthens his trust in God. The verse records the support of a friend's presence in a wilderness hiding place.