1 Samuel 23:23

KJV

See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

KJV (with Strong's)

See {H7200} therefore, and take knowledge {H3045} of all the lurking places {H4224} where he hideth {H2244} himself, and come ye again {H7725} to me with the certainty {H3559}, and I will go {H1980} with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be {H3426} in the land {H776}, that I will search {H2664} him out throughout all the thousands {H505} of Judah {H3063}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So look closely, find out where all his hiding-places are, and come back when you're sure. Then I will go with you, and if he is there in that territory, I'll search till I find him among all the thousands of Y'hudah."

Berean Standard Bible

Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.”

American Standard Version

See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me of a certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Samuel 23:23 encapsulates King Saul's relentless, obsessive, and meticulously planned pursuit of David, his perceived rival, following a betrayal by the Ziphites. This verse reveals the profound depth of Saul's paranoia and his willingness to commit vast resources to hunt David "throughout all the thousands of Judah," underscoring the intense, life-or-death struggle between the reigning monarch and God's anointed successor, all while highlighting David's precarious position and God's unfailing providence in preserving His chosen one.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a protracted and perilous period of David's life as a fugitive, constantly fleeing King Saul's escalating and relentless pursuit. Immediately preceding this passage, the Ziphites, inhabitants of the wilderness region, betray David's specific hiding place to Saul, informing him that David is in the wilderness of Ziph, specifically "in the strongholds in Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon" [1 Samuel 23:19](/1_samuel/23-19 "1 Samuel 23:19 - Ziphites Betray David to Saul"). Saul's subsequent response in [1 Samuel 23:20-21](/1_samuel/23-20-21 "1 Samuel 23:20-21 - Saul's Gratitude and Blessing to the Ziphites") expresses his fervent gratitude and blessing for their loyalty, setting the immediate stage for the detailed, strategic instructions he issues in verse 23. This entire episode follows closely on the heels of David's narrow escape from Keilah [1 Samuel 23:1-13](/1_samuel/23-1-13 "1 Samuel 23:1-13 - David Rescues Keilah and Escapes Saul's Trap"), where he was almost entrapped by Saul, vividly demonstrating the continuous and life-threatening danger he faced. The overarching narrative flow of this section of 1 Samuel powerfully emphasizes Saul's spiraling paranoia and David's unwavering reliance on divine guidance and miraculous escapes, highlighting the stark contrast between human malice and divine protection.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The geographical setting for this intense pursuit is the wilderness of Judah, a rugged, desolate, and largely uninhabited region characterized by its numerous caves, wadis, and natural strongholds. This terrain made it an ideal, albeit harsh, environment for fugitives like David and his band of men, offering both concealment and strategic advantages for guerrilla-style evasion. The Ziphite territory, specifically, was known for its sparse population and challenging topography. As the reigning king, Saul commanded significant military resources, including a standing army and intelligence networks, enabling him to mobilize large forces and demand detailed reconnaissance from local populations. The cultural expectation in ancient Israel was unwavering loyalty to the monarch. The Ziphites' betrayal of David, a fellow Israelite and God's anointed (though not yet recognized by Saul), underscores the intense political pressure and pervasive fear that Saul's increasingly tyrannical reign instilled among his subjects. The mention of "thousands" (Hebrew: אַלְפֵי, _'alphei_) in ancient Israel often referred to tribal subdivisions, clans, or military units, indicating a comprehensive and systematic search across all societal and geographical segments of Judah, reflecting the king's absolute authority and reach.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully illustrates several core theological and narrative themes. Firstly, **Saul's Obsession and Ruthlessness** is paramount; his words reveal a single-minded, almost pathological determination to eliminate David, whom he views as an existential threat to his throne and legacy. This obsession, deeply rooted in envy, fear, and a refusal to acknowledge God's sovereign will, stands in stark contrast to David's character, particularly when David later [spares Saul's life](/1_samuel/24-4 "1 Samuel 24:4 - David Spares Saul in the Cave") out of reverence for God's anointing. Secondly, **David's Vulnerability and God's Providence** is a recurring and central motif throughout this entire period of David's life. Despite Saul's fervent pursuit, the treachery of others, and seemingly insurmountable odds, David is continually protected and delivered by God, underscoring the precariousness of his situation yet simultaneously demonstrating God's sovereign hand in preserving His anointed one for future kingship, as seen in [1 Samuel 23:14](/1_samuel/23-14 "1 Samuel 23:14 - David in the Wilderness"). Finally, the **Nature of Betrayal** is starkly highlighted by the Ziphites' willingness to hand over David, a fellow Israelite and God's chosen, for Saul's favor. This act serves as a grim example of human treachery and self-interest, echoing the broader theme of human sinfulness and the corrupting influence of fear and power found throughout the Old Testament narrative.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lurking places (Hebrew, _machăbêʼ_):** This noun (H4224), appearing in the plural in the verse, refers to "a refuge" or "hiding place." It vividly portrays David's precarious existence as a hunted fugitive, forced to seek shelter in the wilderness's natural crevices and secret spots. Saul's demand to "take knowledge of all the lurking places" underscores his meticulous intelligence-gathering, aiming to leave no potential refuge unsearched. It highlights the desperate nature of David's existence and the comprehensive scope of Saul's hunt.
* **Certainty (Hebrew, _kûwn_):** Derived from the root H3559, meaning "to be erect," "to set up," or "to render sure/firm," this word in its noun form (often translated 'certainty' or 'firmness') emphasizes Saul's demand for absolutely verified and reliable intelligence. He is not content with rumors or vague reports; he requires precise, confirmed information about David's exact whereabouts before committing his forces, reflecting his desperate and meticulous planning. This speaks to the high stakes involved and Saul's deep paranoia.
* **Thousands (Hebrew, _ʼeleph_):** This term (H505), while literally meaning "a thousand," often refers in ancient Israel to tribal subdivisions, clans, or military units. Saul's declaration, "I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah," signifies his intent to scour every segment of society and every geographical corner within the tribal territory of Judah. It conveys the vastness of the resources and the comprehensive determination he is willing to commit to David's capture, leaving no stone unturned in his relentless pursuit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself":** This is Saul's direct and urgent command to the Ziphites, instructing them to engage in thorough reconnaissance. He demands meticulous observation and the gathering of precise intelligence on every potential hiding spot David might be utilizing. This reveals Saul's strategic thinking, his insistence on thoroughness, and his reliance on local informants to achieve his objective.
* **"and come ye again to me with the certainty":** Saul demands verified, accurate, and absolutely reliable information. He is not interested in mere speculation or vague reports but requires firm, confirmed intelligence before he will act. This clause underscores his deep paranoia and his need for absolute assurance, reflecting the high stakes and the desperate nature of his pursuit of David.
* **"and I will go with you":** This declaration reveals the profound depth of Saul's personal commitment and the intensity of his obsession. He is not merely delegating the task but intends to personally lead the hunt, demonstrating his unwavering resolve and the absolute priority he places on David's capture. This also subtly implies a degree of distrust, as he wants to ensure the Ziphites' full cooperation and verify their information firsthand.
* **"and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah":** This is Saul's ultimate vow and a powerful statement of his absolute determination. He pledges to conduct an exhaustive, region-wide search, leaving no part of Judah unexplored, if David is indeed within its borders. This highlights the vast resources he is willing to commit and the single-mindedness of his pursuit, emphasizing his resolve to eliminate David at any cost, demonstrating the full extent of his vengeful obsession.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its dramatic intensity and underlying theological truths. **Irony** is profoundly prominent, as Saul, the reigning king, is consumed by the hunt for David, who is God's chosen and anointed successor, whose eventual ascension to the throne is divinely ordained and thus inevitable. Saul's meticulous planning and vast resources are ultimately rendered futile against God's sovereign will, creating a tragic and dramatic tension that permeates the narrative. The phrase "throughout all the thousands of Judah" can be seen as **hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme extent of Saul's resolve and the comprehensive, almost impossible, nature of the search he envisions, even if a literal scouring of every single clan was logistically impossible. This intensifies the portrayal of his obsessive determination. Furthermore, the relentless pursuit itself serves as a powerful **foreshadowing** of Saul's eventual downfall; his rejection of God's will and his descent into paranoia and violence ultimately lead to his tragic demise, while David's repeated miraculous escapes and divine protection foreshadow his ultimate triumph and rightful kingship. The narrative also presents a stark **contrast** between Saul's human-driven, vengeful pursuit and David's humble reliance on divine providence and protection, highlighting the fundamental difference between earthly power wielded for self-preservation and God's sovereign plan unfolding through His chosen servant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the clash between human will and divine purpose. Saul's desperate and meticulous hunt for David, despite all his resources, determination, and the treachery of informants, ultimately proves futile because God's protective hand is upon David. This narrative underscores the profound theological truth that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human opposition, no matter how powerful, persistent, or well-resourced. It highlights the theme of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when His chosen one faces overwhelming danger, betrayal, and seemingly insurmountable odds. David's experience in the wilderness, constantly on the run, yet miraculously preserved, serves as a powerful testament to God's protective sovereignty over those He has called and anointed. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of envy, paranoia, and a refusal to submit to God's will, as tragically exemplified by Saul's decline into madness and eventual demise.

* [Psalm 34:7](/psalms/34-7 "Psalm 34:7 - The Angel of the Lord Encamps Around Those Who Fear Him")
* [Psalm 57:1](/psalms/57-1 "Psalm 57:1 - Be Merciful to Me, O God, Be Merciful to Me!")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom, No Understanding, No Counsel Can Avail Against the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Saul's relentless pursuit of David, culminating in this verse, offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that even when facing overwhelming opposition, betrayal from unexpected sources, and relentless pursuit from those who wish us harm, God remains absolutely faithful to His promises. David's experience is a vivid testament to God being our ever-present refuge and strength in times of trouble, demonstrating that divine providence can miraculously intervene and turn seemingly impossible situations around. For those feeling hunted, betrayed, unjustly targeted, or overwhelmed by life's adversaries, this narrative offers profound hope that God's protective hand is sovereign over all human machinations and malicious intent. Conversely, Saul's tragic descent into paranoia and obsession serves as a solemn cautionary tale about the destructive power of unchecked envy, unbridled ambition, and a stubborn refusal to submit to God's ultimate authority. It warns against allowing bitterness, fear, and a desire for control to consume one's heart, leading to actions that are not only wicked but ultimately self-defeating. We are called to trust implicitly in God's perfect timing and His divine anointing on others, rather than striving in our own strength or seeking to destroy those whom God has chosen or those we perceive as rivals.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Saul's obsessive pursuit of David reflect the dangers of unchecked envy and a refusal to accept God's sovereign will in our own lives or in the lives of leaders?**
* **In what specific ways can we identify with David's vulnerability and reliance on God's protection when facing adversity, betrayal, or unjust opposition in our contemporary world?**
* **What practical steps can we take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's providence and protective care when circumstances seem overwhelming or when we feel "hunted" by life's challenges?**
* **How does this narrative encourage us to pray for those in positions of authority, even when their actions appear contrary to God's will or when they are actively opposing God's purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why was Saul so determined to catch David?**

Answer: Saul's determination stemmed from a complex and potent mix of fear, envy, and a profound sense of threatened kingship. God had explicitly rejected Saul as king due to his repeated disobedience [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion is Like the Sin of Divination"), and Samuel had secretly anointed David as his successor [1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - David Anointed King"). Saul perceived David's growing popularity, military success, and undeniable divine favor as a direct, existential threat to his throne, his legacy, and his very life. His intense paranoia, exacerbated by an evil spirit that tormented him [1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - An Evil Spirit from the Lord Torments Saul"), led him to believe that David was actively plotting against him, even though David repeatedly demonstrated his loyalty and profound respect for Saul's anointing by God.

**What does "thousands of Judah" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "thousands of Judah" (Hebrew: אַלְפֵי יְهוּדָה, _'alphei Yehudah_) refers to the comprehensive and exhaustive scope of Saul's intended search. While the term "thousands" (Hebrew: _ʼeleph_) can literally mean large numbers of people or military units, in this specific context, it broadly signifies all the clans, families, and geographical subdivisions within the tribal territory of Judah. Saul's intent was to scour every corner, every community, and every segment of society within Judah, leaving no potential hiding place or source of information unexplored in his relentless hunt for David. It powerfully emphasizes the vast resources, meticulous effort, and unwavering determination he was willing to commit to capturing David.

**Did Saul ever succeed in catching David?**

Answer: No, despite Saul's relentless, obsessive, and often desperate pursuit, he never succeeded in capturing David. Time and again, David was miraculously protected and delivered by God's providence, often narrowly escaping Saul's traps or being saved by unforeseen circumstances, such as Saul being called away to fight the Philistines [1 Samuel 23:27-28](/1_samuel/23-27-28 "1 Samuel 23:27-28 - David's Narrow Escape at Keilah"). David even had multiple clear opportunities to kill Saul but steadfastly refused to lay a hand on the Lord's anointed [1 Samuel 24:1-7](/1_samuel/24-1-7 "1 Samuel 24:1-7 - David Spares Saul in the Cave"). David's ultimate ascension to the throne was a profound testament to God's faithfulness and sovereignty, demonstrating that His divine plan cannot be thwarted by human effort, malice, or evasion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The relentless pursuit of David by Saul, as meticulously depicted in [1 Samuel 23:23](/1_samuel/23-23 "1 Samuel 23:23 - Saul's Relentless Pursuit of David"), powerfully foreshadows the ultimate "hunted" one: Jesus Christ. Just as Saul, the reigning king, sought with obsessive determination to eliminate David, God's anointed successor, so too did the earthly powers of Herod, the religious establishment (Pharisees and Sadducees), and the Roman Empire conspire to destroy Jesus, the true King of Israel and the Son of God. Herod's murderous attempt to kill the infant Jesus [Matthew 2:13-18](/matthew/2-13-18 "Matthew 2:13-18 - The Flight to Egypt and Massacre of the Innocents") mirrors Saul's homicidal intent against David, demonstrating the profound futility of human efforts to thwart divine decree. The meticulous planning and vast resources Saul committed to finding David find their ultimate parallel in the determined efforts of those who sought to trap Jesus in His words [Luke 11:53-54](/luke/11-53-54 "Luke 11:53-54 - Jesus Accused by the Lawyers and Scribes") and ultimately to crucify Him. However, just as David's life was miraculously preserved by God's sovereign hand for his appointed kingship, so too was Jesus's "capture" and crucifixion not a triumph of human malice but the preordained, central act of God's redemptive plan. His death was a willing, atoning sacrifice [John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life Willingly"), and His glorious resurrection [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection") and enthronement at the right hand of God [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory") could not be thwarted by any earthly power or any "thousands of Judah." The narrative of Saul's futile hunt for David thus becomes a profound theological type, illustrating humanity's impotent attempts to oppose God's ultimate plan of salvation and the eternal establishment of His Kingdom through Christ, the true and everlasting King.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 14:10

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

Mark 14:11

And when they heard [it], they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Mark 14:1

¶ After two days was [the feast of] the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put [him] to death.

Micah 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.

1 Kings 18:10

[As] the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, [He is] not [there]; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.

Numbers 10:36

And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.

Proverbs 1:16

For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.