11. Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hands? And will Saul descend, just as your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, reveal to your servant." And the Lord said, "He will descend."
12. And David said, "Will the men of Keilah deliver me, and the men who are with me, into the hands of Saul?" And the Lord said, "They will deliver you."
13. Therefore, David, and his men of about six hundred, rose up, and, departing from Keilah, they wandered here and there, aimlessly. And it was reported to Saul that David had fled from Keilah, and was saved. For this reason, he chose not to go out.
14. Then David stayed in the desert, in very strong places. And he stayed on a mount in the wilderness of Ziph, on a shady mount. Nevertheless, Saul was seeking him every day. But the Lord did not deliver him into his hands.
15. And David saw that Saul had gone out, so that he might seek his life. Now David was in the desert of Ziph, in the woods.
16. And Jonathan, the son of Saul, rose up and went to David in the woods, and he strengthened his hands in God. And he said to him:
17. "Do not be afraid. For the hand of my father, Saul, will not find you. And you shall reign over Israel. And I will be second to you. And even my father knows this."
18. Therefore, they both struck a pact before the Lord. And David stayed in the woods. But Jonathan returned to his house.
19. Then the Ziphites ascended to Saul at Gibeah, saying: "Behold, is not David hidden with us in very secure places in the woods on the hill of Hachilah, which is to the right of the desert?
20. Now therefore, if your soul has desired to descend, then descend. Then it will be for us to deliver him into the hands of the king."
21. And Saul said: "You have been blessed by the Lord. For you have grieved for my situation.
22. Therefore, I beg you, go forth, and prepare diligently, and act carefully. And consider the place where his foot may be, and who may have seen him there. For he thinks, concerning me, that I craftily plan treachery against him.
23. Consider and seek out all his hiding places, in which he may be concealed. And return to me with certainty about the matter, so that I may go with you. But if he would even press himself into the earth, I will search him out, amid all the thousands of Judah."
24. And rising up, they went to Ziph before Saul. But David and his men were in the desert of Maon, in the plain to the right of Jeshimon.
25. Then Saul and his allies went to seek him. And this was reported to David. And immediately, he descended to the rock, and he moved about in the desert of Maon. And when Saul had heard of it, he pursued David in the desert of Maon.