² Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.

² Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats.

² Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel, of which two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in the Mount of Bethel, and one thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.

²³ See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hides himself, and come you again to me of a certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall happen, if he be in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.

²⁴ They arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of the desert.

²⁵ Saul and his men went to seek him. They told David: why he came down to the rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. When Saul heard [that], he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

¹⁷ He said to David, You are more righteous than I; for you have rendered to me good, whereas I have rendered to you evil.

¹² They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, And meditate deceits all day long.

⁴ Yahweh, keep me from the hands of the wicked. Preserve me from the violent men who have determined to trip my feet.

⁵ The proud have hidden a snare for me, They have spread the cords of a net by the path. They have set traps for me. Selah.

⁶ I said to Yahweh, "You are my God." Listen to the cry of my petitions, Yahweh.

⁷ Yahweh, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸ Yahweh, don't grant the desires of the wicked. Don't let their evil plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah.

⁹ As for the head of those who surround me, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.