1 Samuel 23:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jonathan, the king's own son, comes to David and strengthens him in God.
What Does 1 Samuel 23:16 Mean?
Into David's danger comes Jonathan -- Saul's son and heir, the very man whose throne David is destined to take. He seeks David out in the woods and 'strengthened his hand in God.' He does not bring an army or a rescue, but encouragement rooted in the Lord.
This is one of Scripture's purest pictures of friendship. Jonathan turns David's eyes back to God when fear would fix them on Saul. To 'strengthen the hand in God' is to remind a weary soul of who God is and what He has promised. The greatest gift one believer can give another is not escape from trouble, but renewed confidence in the God who reigns over it.
1 Samuel 23:16 in the Original Language
chazaq (חָזַק), ''strengthened'' -- to make firm or take hold, here bracing David's courage in God.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 23:16
What does 1 Samuel 23:16 mean?
Jonathan, the king's own son, comes to David and strengthens him in God.