1 Samuel Chapter 23 · Verse 23
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.
Original Language Analysis
וּרְא֣וּ
See
H7200
וּרְא֣וּ
See
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וּדְע֗וּ
therefore and take knowledge
H3045
וּדְע֗וּ
therefore and take knowledge
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
2 of 22
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מִכֹּ֤ל
H3605
מִכֹּ֤ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
וְשַׁבְתֶּ֤ם
himself and come ye again
H7725
וְשַׁבְתֶּ֤ם
himself and come ye again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
8 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
נָכ֔וֹן
to me with the certainty
H3559
נָכ֔וֹן
to me with the certainty
Strong's:
H3559
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
וְהָֽלַכְתִּ֖י
and I will go
H1980
וְהָֽלַכְתִּ֖י
and I will go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
12 of 22
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אִתְּכֶ֑ם
H854
אִתְּכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְהָיָה֙
H1961
וְהָיָה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
15 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יֶשְׁנ֣וֹ
with you and it shall come to pass if he be
H3426
יֶשְׁנ֣וֹ
with you and it shall come to pass if he be
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
16 of 22
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
וְחִפַּשְׂתִּ֣י
that I will search
H2664
וְחִפַּשְׂתִּ֣י
that I will search
Strong's:
H2664
Word #:
18 of 22
to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e., let be sought), or mask
אֹת֔וֹ
H853
אֹת֔וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
The 'thousands of Judah' were tribal military units, perhaps representing clan-based divisions. Saul's willingness to deploy all Judah's military strength against David demonstrates the scale of his obsession and the corruption of royal resources.
Questions for Reflection
- What happens when leadership devotes institutional resources to personal vendettas?
- How does Saul's systematic pursuit contrast with his earlier failure to pursue Israel's actual enemies?
Analysis & Commentary
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.
Saul's comprehensive plan reveals the extent of his determination. The Hebrew 'hammacharavo'im' (lurking places/hiding spots) indicates thorough surveillance of David's network of refuges. His demand for 'certainty' (Hebrew 'nachon') before committing royal forces shows tactical caution. The phrase 'throughout all the thousands of Judah' refers to military divisions—Saul pledged total mobilization. The conditional 'if he be in the land' acknowledges David might flee Israelite territory entirely. This systematic approach to capture David represents significant military resources devoted to personal vendetta rather than national defense.