1 Samuel 23:14
And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
David stayed in the strongholds and in the mountain country of the wilderness of Ziph while Saul searched for him every day, yet God did not give him into Saul's hand so he was not captured. His withdrawal to Ziph came after he and his band rescued Keilah from the Philistines, showing that even the people he had saved could not give him lasting safety.
At this same time he also gave refuge to Abiathar, who had escaped Saul's slaughter of the priests, assuring him that he would be safe abiding with him. He stands as one of God's appointed witnesses who was hunted by enemies and endured persecution for the sake of the truth.
His experience teaches that one chosen to serve God may suffer persecution and be forced into danger in the wilderness, yet not be given over to the persecutor, for God preserves him. God's faithful servants may face persecution and danger without being abandoned, for God sustains them through trial.