1 Samuel 23:24 Meaning and Explanation
“And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Ziphites return ahead of Saul, but David has already moved to the wilderness of Maon.
What Does 1 Samuel 23:24 Mean?
The Ziphites set out for Ziph ahead of Saul to prepare the way. But the narrator quietly notes that David and his men have already moved on -- now in the wilderness of Maon, in the desert plain south of Jeshimon. The informers' map is already outdated.
Even as the trap is laid, the prey has shifted unseen. The Lord who guides His servant keeps him a step ahead of his hunters. There is a hidden providence in David's movements that no scout can chart. While Saul gathers certainty about where David was, God has already led him elsewhere. The faithful are kept by a wisdom that moves before their enemies can close in.
1 Samuel 23:24 in the Original Language
Maon (מָעוֹן) -- a wilderness district south of Hebron, named for a nearby town in the Judean highlands.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 23:24
What does 1 Samuel 23:24 mean?
The Ziphites return ahead of Saul, but David has already moved to the wilderness of Maon.