1 Samuel 23:24
And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּק֛וּמוּ
And they arose
H6965
וַיָּק֛וּמוּ
And they arose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 13
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ
H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 13
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
זִ֖יפָה
to Ziph
H2128
זִ֖יפָה
to Ziph
Strong's:
H2128
Word #:
3 of 13
ziph, the name of a place in palestine; also of an israelite
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֜יו
H376
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֜יו
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּמִדְבַּ֤ר
were in the wilderness
H4057
בְּמִדְבַּ֤ר
were in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
8 of 13
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
מָעוֹן֙
of Maon
H4584
מָעוֹן֙
of Maon
Strong's:
H4584
Word #:
9 of 13
maon, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine
בָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה
in the plain
H6160
בָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה
in the plain
Strong's:
H6160
Word #:
10 of 13
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
Historical Context
The wilderness of Maon was adjacent to the wilderness of Ziph, both in the Judean hill country. David's band continuously relocated, making fixed intelligence quickly obsolete. The Arabah provided additional escape routes toward the Dead Sea region.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God's timing protected you in ways you recognized only later?
- What does David's constant movement teach about flexibility in seasons of danger?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
The geographical notice creates narrative tension. The Ziphites depart on their reconnaissance mission while David has already moved—he is no longer in Ziph but in Maon's wilderness. The Hebrew 'Arabah' (plain) describes the rift valley region. Jeshimon ('wasteland') marks the desolate area toward the Dead Sea. David's movement, whether by divine prompting or tactical instinct, placed him elsewhere when danger arrived at his previous location. This pattern of narrow escapes characterizes God's preservation—David remained one step ahead through providence that coordinated his movements with enemy arrivals.