Definition: And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 23:17. It's a really powerful and moving passage about God’s protection and blessing. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is reassuring David that he is safe and will be recognized as king. Here’s a breakdown of the key parts: “And he said unto him…” : This is a way of speaking from God – He's directly addressing someone. “…Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee…” : This is the core of the message. "Saul" was the king of Israel at this time, and he was a really dangerous and bitter man. “The hand of Saul” means his power and influence were overwhelming. The phrase “shall not find thee” means he won't be able to reach or harm David. It’s a promise of protection. "...and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.” : This is the big part – God is guaranteeing David's future role as king of Israel. He’s making it clear that because God is protecting him, he will eventually become king. And crucially, God is also mentioning that even Saul , who was a bitter enemy of David, would know this – that he would be aware of the blessing and position God has given him. What’s the big takeaway? This verse speaks to a time of immense hardship and danger for David. He was being persecuted by Saul and his army. But God is actively protecting him, ensuring his safety and eventually leading him to become king. It's a message of hope and divine providence – that even in terrible situations, God’s love and plan are always present. In short: God is guaranteeing David’s future kingship, and it's a blessing for him, even for those who wronged him. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage (when did it happen)? Talk about why this verse is important in the Bible?