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 23:15KJV
Know the Bible

1 Samuel 23:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 23:15 mean?

1 Samuel 23:15 describes how David realized that Saul had come out to look for him in order to kill him, and that David was hiding in the wilderness area of Ziph, specifically in a wooded place. The verse highlights David’s awareness of the danger and the specific location where he was seeking refuge from Saul.

At this point in the story, David is fleeing from King Saul, who sees David as a threat to his throne. David is not speaking to anyone in this verse; instead, the verse gives the reader insight into David’s situation and mindset. The wilderness of Ziph is a remote, rugged area, and mentioning the “wood” shows that David was hiding in a secluded, forested spot, emphasizing both his vulnerability and his efforts to stay hidden.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 23:15

  • wilderness (מִדְבָּר, midbar): This word means a wild, uncultivated area, not just a desert but any place away from settled life. It helps the reader picture David’s isolation and the harshness of his surroundings.
  • Ziph (זִיף, Ziph): This is the name of a specific region south of Hebron. Knowing the location helps place the story geographically and shows how far David had to go to escape Saul.
  • wood (חֹרְשָׁה, chorshah): This word refers to a thicket or a wooded area. It adds detail to the scene, showing that David was not just in open wilderness but in a place with trees and cover, which would help him hide.

Why 1 Samuel 23:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s situation was not just dangerous but also desperate, as he was forced to hide in remote and difficult terrain to avoid Saul.
  • The mention of the wilderness of Ziph and the wood sets up the events that follow, where the people of Ziph will betray David’s location to Saul, adding tension to the narrative.
  • Understanding David’s location and circumstances helps the reader appreciate the fear and uncertainty he faced, as well as the lengths he had to go to in order to survive.

Where else these words appear

“wood” Hebrew H2793 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 23:16 And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
  • 1 Samuel 23:19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
  • Isaiah 17:9 In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.

“Ziph” Hebrew H2128 · used in 9 verses

  • Joshua 15:24 Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,
  • 1 Samuel 23:14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:42 Now the sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel were, Mesha his firstborn, which was the father of Ziph; and the sons of Mareshah the father of Hebron.