13. So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and wandered from place to place. When Saul was informed that David had fled from Keilah, he did not go forth.
14. David now lived in the strongholds in the wilderness, or in the barren hill country near Ziph. Though Saul sought him continually, the Lord did not deliver David into his hand.
15. While David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh he was afraid that Saul had come out to seek his life.
16. Then Saul’s son, Jonathan, came down to David at Horesh and encouraged him in the Lord.
17. He said to him: “Have no fear, my father Saul shall not lay a hand to you. You shall be king of Israel and I shall be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”
18. The two of them made a covenant before the Lord in Horesh, where David remained, while Jonathan returned to his home.
19. Some of the Ziphites went up to Saul in Gibeah and said, “David is hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh on the hill of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon.
20. Therefore, whenever the king wishes to come down, let him do so. It will be our task to deliver him into the king’s hand.”
21. Saul replied: “The Lord bless you for your compassion toward me.