1 Samuel 23:15-18

Jonathan’s encouragement of David 23:15-18

The town of Ziph was 12 miles southeast of Keilah, and the wilderness of Ziph was near the town. Ziph stood in the wilderness area of Judah whereas Keilah was in the more hospitable Shephelah. The sites of Horesh (1 Samuel 23:15) and Hachilah (1 Samuel 23:19) are not certain.

Jonathan risked his own safety to encourage his friend again. God had used Abiathar to encourage David recently in Keilah (1 Samuel 23:6). Jonathan encouraged David "in God" (cf. 1 Samuel 30:6). What he said to David rested on God’s promises and plans for David that both Jonathan and Saul now knew (cf. 1 Samuel 20:2; 1 Samuel 20:31). Jonathan cooperated with God’s plans, but Saul resisted them. It is curious that Jonathan could find David, but Saul and his intelligence experts could not locate him. God was protecting His servant. Jonathan and David made another covenant (cf. 1 Samuel 18:3; 1 Samuel 20:8; 1 Samuel 20:12-17). This is the last meeting of these "soul brothers" that the text records.