BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 23› Verse 22

1 Samuel 23:22

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 23:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Go, I pray you, make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, [and] who hath seen him there; for it is told me that he dealeth very subtly.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Go, I pray you, make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, [and] who hath seen him there; for it is told me that he dealeth very subtly.
1 Samuel 23:22 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert?
20Now therefore, O king, come down, according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him up into the king`s hand.
21And Saul said, Blessed be ye of Jehovah; for ye have had compassion on me.
22Go, I pray you, make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, [and] who hath seen him there; for it is told me that he dealeth very subtly.
23See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me of a 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 among all the thousands of Judah.
24And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of the desert.
25And Saul and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down to the rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard [that], he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.
← 1 Samuel 23:211 Samuel 23:23 →
← Full Chapter 23 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Go, I pray you, prepare yet, etc.] That is, go home, return to their habitations, and get things in a greater readiness for him; inquire more diligently after David, get more intelligence of him, and inform themselves more exactly about him: and know and see his place where his haunt is; or “foot” f469 is, where that steps and walks most frequently, not only get knowledge of it by information, but if they could get sight of it with their own eyes, that they might describe it more exactly: [and] who hath seen him there; not only seen the place, but him in the place, and that often, that it may be certain it is the place he usually resorts to: for it is told me [that] he dealeth very subtilly;…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“haunt is: Heb. foot shall be, Job 5:13 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 23:23”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“In his anxiety, however, lest David should escape him after all, he charged them, "Go, and give still further heed (הכין without לב, as in Jdg 12:6), and reconnoitre and look at his place where his foot cometh (this simply serves as a more precise definition of the nominal suffix in מקומו, his place), who hath seen him there (sc., let them inquire into this, that they may not be deceived by uncertain or false reports): for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly." 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 23:23”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification