1 Samuel 23:22
New International Version
Go and get more information. Find out where David usually goes and who has seen him there. They tell me he is very crafty.

New Living Translation
Go and check again to be sure of where he is staying and who has seen him there, for I know that he is very crafty.

English Standard Version
Go, make yet more sure. Know and see the place where his foot is, and who has seen him there, for it is told me that he is very cunning.

Berean Standard Bible
Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning.

King James Bible
Go, I pray you, prepare yet, 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 subtilly.

New King James Version
Please go and find out for sure, and see the place where his hideout is, and who has seen him there. For I am told he is very crafty.

New American Standard Bible
Go now, be more persistent, and investigate and see his place where he is hiding, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning.

NASB 1995
“Go now, make more sure, and investigate and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning.

NASB 1977
“Go now, make more sure, and investigate and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning.

Legacy Standard Bible
Go now, make more sure, and know and see his place—where his very foot is—and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very crafty.

Amplified Bible
Go now, be very persistent and investigate, and see where his haunt is and who has seen him there; for I am told he is very cunning.

Christian Standard Bible
Go and check again. Investigate where he goes and who has seen him there; they tell me he is extremely cunning.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Go and check again. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there; they tell me he is extremely cunning.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Now please do just a little more for me. Find out exactly where David is, as well as where he goes, and who has seen him there. I've been told that he's very tricky.

English Revised Version
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 subtilly.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Please make more plans, and watch where he goes. Who has seen him there? I'm told he's very clever.

Good News Translation
Go and make sure once more; find out for certain where he is and who has seen him there. I hear that he is very cunning.

International Standard Version
Go and again make sure, find out and investigate where he is and who has seen him there, for people tell me that he's very clever.

Majority Standard Bible
Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning.

NET Bible
Go and make further arrangements. Determine precisely where he is and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning.

New Heart English Bible
Please go investigate again, and look around and learn the place where his swift foot is, for I am told that he is very clever.

Webster's Bible Translation
Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know, and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told to me that he dealeth very subtilly.

World English Bible
Please go make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I have been told that he is very cunning.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
now go prepare yet, and know and see his place where his foot is; who has seen him there? For [one] has said to me, He is very cunning.

Young's Literal Translation
go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his foot is; who hath seen him there? for one hath said unto me, He is very subtile.

Smith's Literal Translation
Go now, prepare yet, and know, and see his place where his foot shall be, who saw him there: for it was said to me being crafty, he will be crafty.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Go therefore, I pray you, and use all diligence, and curiously inquire, and consider the place where his foot is, and who hath seen him there: for he thinketh of me, that I lie craftily in wait for him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, I beg you, go forth, and prepare diligently, and act carefully. And consider the place where his foot may be, and who may have seen him there. For he thinks, concerning me, that I craftily plan treachery against him.

New American Bible
Go now and make sure once more! Take note of the place where he sets foot for I am told that he is very cunning.

New Revised Standard Version
Go and make sure once more; find out exactly where he is, and who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very cunning.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Return and search and find the place where his haunt is and learn who has seen him there; for I am told that he is very subtle.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Go, return, find out his dwelling and know and see the place where his foot may be where anyone has seen him, for they have said to me that he is very subtle
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Go, I pray you, and make preparations yet, and notice his place where his foot shall be, quickly, in that place which ye spoke of, lest by any means he should deal craftily.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Pursues David
21“May you be blessed by the LORD,” replied Saul, “for you have had compassion on me. 22Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning. 23Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.”…

Cross References
Psalm 54:1-3
For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. When the Ziphites went to Saul and said, “Is David not hiding among us?” Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might! / Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. / For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah

Psalm 31:4
You free me from the net laid out for me, for You are my refuge.

Psalm 56:5-6
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. / They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

Psalm 59:3-4
See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD. / For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice.

Psalm 140:1-5
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence, / who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long. / They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah ...

Jeremiah 11:18-19
And the LORD informed me, so I knew. Then You showed me their deeds. / For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”

Jeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

Proverbs 26:24-26
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. / Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Proverbs 29:10
Men of bloodshed hate a blameless man, but the upright care for his life.

Micah 7:5-6
Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms. / For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 26:4
and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

Mark 14:1
Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him.

Luke 20:20
So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor.

John 11:53
So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.


Treasury of Scripture

Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there: for it is told me that he deals very subtly.

haunt is [heb] foot shall be

Job 5:13
He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

Jump to Previous
Crafty Cunning David Dealeth Deals Deceit Expert Haunt Investigate Please Preparation Prepare Steps Subtilly Subtly Sure Track Usually
Jump to Next
Crafty Cunning David Dealeth Deals Deceit Expert Haunt Investigate Please Preparation Prepare Steps Subtilly Subtly Sure Track Usually
1 Samuel 23
1. David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah
7. God showing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites,
13. he escapes from Keilah
14. In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him
19. The Ziphites discover him to Saul
25. At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines
29. He dwells at En Gedi














Please go and find out more
This phrase reflects Saul's desperation and determination to capture David. The Hebrew root for "find out" is "yada," which means to know or to ascertain by seeing. This implies a deep, investigative pursuit, not just a casual inquiry. Saul's request underscores the intensity of his obsession with David, highlighting the lengths to which he is willing to go to eliminate his perceived rival. Historically, this reflects the political tension and personal vendetta that Saul harbored against David, who was anointed by God to be the next king of Israel.

See where he usually goes
The word "see" in Hebrew is "ra'ah," which means to look at or inspect. Saul is instructing his men to observe David's habits and routines. This reflects a strategic military tactic, as understanding an enemy's movements is crucial in planning an ambush. The historical context here is significant, as David was constantly on the move, evading Saul's attempts to capture him. This phrase also highlights the cunning and resourcefulness of David, who was able to stay one step ahead of Saul despite the king's relentless pursuit.

and who has seen him there
This part of the verse emphasizes the importance of eyewitness accounts in ancient times. The Hebrew word for "seen" is "ra'ah," the same as earlier, indicating the need for reliable intelligence. Saul is relying on the testimony of those who have physically observed David, which was a common practice in a time without modern surveillance technology. This reflects the broader biblical theme of witness and testimony, which is crucial in establishing truth and justice.

They tell me he is very crafty
The word "crafty" in Hebrew is "arum," which can mean shrewd or prudent. This is the same word used to describe the serpent in Genesis 3:1, indicating a sense of cunning and strategic thinking. Saul acknowledges David's intelligence and ability to outmaneuver him, which is a testament to David's leadership and survival skills. This phrase also highlights the irony of Saul's situation; despite being the king, he is outwitted by David, who relies on God's guidance and his own resourcefulness. This serves as an inspirational reminder of the power of divine wisdom and the importance of relying on God in times of adversity.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Please
נָ֞א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

go
לְכוּ־ (lə·ḵū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

and prepare
הָכִ֣ינוּ (hā·ḵî·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3559: To be erect

further.
ע֗וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

Investigate
וּדְע֤וּ (ū·ḏə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3045: To know

and watch
וּרְאוּ֙ (ū·rə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

carefully where
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he goes
תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה (tih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

and who
מִ֥י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

has seen
רָאָ֖הוּ (rā·’ā·hū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

him there,
שָׁ֑ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

for
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I am told that
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

he
הֽוּא׃ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is extremely
עָר֥וֹם (‘ā·rō·wm)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6191: To be, bare, to be cunning

cunning.
יַעְרִ֖ם (ya‘·rim)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6196: The plane tree


Links
1 Samuel 23:22 NIV
1 Samuel 23:22 NLT
1 Samuel 23:22 ESV
1 Samuel 23:22 NASB
1 Samuel 23:22 KJV

1 Samuel 23:22 BibleApps.com
1 Samuel 23:22 Biblia Paralela
1 Samuel 23:22 Chinese Bible
1 Samuel 23:22 French Bible
1 Samuel 23:22 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Samuel 23:22 Please go make yet more sure (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 23:21
Top of Page
Top of Page