1 Samuel 23:16 net — Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him through God.

NET Bible

"Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him through God."

— 1 Samuel 23:16, NET Bible

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1 Samuel 23:16 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 23 — Context

13

So David and his men, who numbered about six hundred, set out and left Keilah; they moved around from one place to another. When told that David had escaped from Keilah, Saul called a halt to his expedition.

14

David stayed in the strongholds that were in the desert and in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph. Saul looked for him all the time, but God did not deliver David into his hand.

15

David realized that Saul had come out to seek his life; at that time David was in Horesh in the wilderness of Ziph.

16

Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him through God.

17

He said to him,“Don’t be afraid! For the hand of my father Saul cannot find you. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul realizes this.”

18

When the two of them had made a covenant before the LORD, David stayed on at Horesh, but Jonathan went to his house.

19

Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said,“Isn’t David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh on the hill of Hakilah, south of Jeshimon?

1 Samuel 23:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 23:16 say?
1 Samuel 23:16 in the NET Bible reads: “Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him through God.”
Where is 1 Samuel 23:16 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 23:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 23, verse 16.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 23:16.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 23:16 in?
1 Samuel 23:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 23:16?
1 Samuel 23:16 reads (NET): “Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him through God.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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