1 Samuel 23:16

1 Samuel 23:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
• New International Version (NIV)And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.

Context of 1 Samuel 23:16

14So David stayed in the strongholds of the wilderness, remaining in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. 15By now David was aware that Saul would come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Choresh. Then Saul’s son Jonathan arose and went to David at Choresh and strengthened him in God. 17“Don’t be afraid,” he said to him, “because my father Saul will never find you. You will be king over Israel and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul recognizes that.” 18Again they cut a covenant before Adonai. David remained at Choresh, but Jonathan went home.

1 Samuel 23:16 word by word

וַיָּ֙קָם֙ יְהוֹנָתָ֣ן בֶּן־שָׁא֔וּל וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אֶל־דָּוִ֖ד חֹ֑רְשָׁה וַיְחַזֵּ֥ק אֶת־יָד֖וֹ בֵּאלֹהִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Jonathanיְהוֹנָתָןyehônâthân · JonathanH3083
• Saul’sשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• aroseקוּםqûm · to arise: riseH6965
• and wentיָלַךְyâlak · to walkH3212
• to Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• into the woodחֹ֫רֶשׁchôresh · HoreshH2793
• and strengthenedחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: strengthenH2388
• his handיָדyâd · hand: powerH3027
• in Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 23:16

• Deuteronomy 3:28But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will cross over before this people, and he will enable them to inherit the land that you will see.’
• Nehemiah 2:18Then I told them how the good hand of my God was on me and the words that the king had said to me. Then they replied, “Let us begin building!” So they prepared themselves for this good work.
• Job 4:3Behold, you have instructed many; you have strengthened weak hands.
• Job 16:5But I would strengthen you with my mouth and comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
• Proverbs 27:9As ointment and perfume gladden the heart, so the sweetness of one’s friend comes from his sincere counsel.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9Two are better than one, because they get a good return for their effort.
• Isaiah 35:3Strengthen the limp hands, make firm the wobbly knees.
• Ezekiel 13:22Because you have discouraged the hearts of the righteous with your lies, when I have not grieved him; and strengthened the hands of the wicked so he may not return from his wicked way and live,
• Luke 22:32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
• Ephesians 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
• 2 Timothy 2:1Therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Messiah Yeshua.
• Hebrews 12:12Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble!

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 23:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16And Jonathan - strengthened his hand in God - It is probable that there was always a secret intercourse between David and Jonathan, and that by this most trusty friend he was apprised of the various designs of Saul to take away his life. As Jonathan well knew that God had appointed David to the kingdom, he came now to encourage him to trust in the Most High, and to assure him that the hand of Saul should not prevail against him; and at this interview they…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16A touching example of mutual fidelity between friends. The humility and unselfish love of Jonathan is apparent in 1 Samuel 23:17.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-18Verses 14-18 David made no attempt against Saul; he kept God's way, waited God's time, and was content to secure himself in woods and wildernesses. Let it make us think the worse of this world, which often gives such bad treatment to its best men: let it make us long for that kingdom where goodness shall for ever be in glory, and holiness in honour. We find Jonathan comforting David. As a pious friend, he directed him to God, the Foundation of his…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16Jonathan encouraged David because he knew God had chosen David to be king.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-1716-17. Jonathan went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God--by the recollection of their mutual covenant. What a victory over natural feelings and lower considerations must the faith of Jonathan have won, before he could seek such an interview and give utterance to such sentiments! To talk with calm and assured confidence of himself and family being superseded by the man who was his friend by the bonds of a holy and solemn covenant…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 23:16

• Communion
• David
• Friendship
• Jonathan
• Malice

In the dictionaries

• David
• God
• Jonathan
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Town
• Hand
• Jonathan (2)
• Samuel, Books of

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings