1 Samuel 23
1 David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah.
7 God shewing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites, 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.
Keilah <07084> [Keilah.]
Keilah was a city of Judah, situated, according to Eusebius, eight miles from Eleutheropolis, towards Hebron. Sozomen says that the prophet Habakkuk's tomb was shewn there.
looting ... threshing floors <08154 01637> [rob the.]
asked <07592> [enquired.]
In what way David made this enquiry we are not told; but it was probably by means of Abiathar; and therefore it would seem, that with Houbigant, we should read the sixth verse immediately after the first.--This adventure was truly noble and patriotic. Had not David loved his country, and been above all motives of private and personal revenge, he would have rejoiced in this invasion of Judea, as producing a strong diversion in his favour, and embroiling his inveterate enemy. In most cases, a man with David's wrongs would have joined with the enemies of his country, and avenged himself on the author of his calamities; but he thinks of nothing but succouring Keilah, and using his power and influence in behalf of his brethren.
<03373> [Behold.]
again <03254> [yet again.]
give <05414> [for I will.]
Abiathar <054> [when Abiathar.]
ephod <0646> [an ephod.]
God ... delivered <0430 05234> [A.M. 2943. B.C. 1061. An. Ex. Is. 430. God hath.]
delivered him ........ boxed <05462> [he is shut.]
David <01732> [David.]
Bring <05066> [Bring.]
destroy ... city <05892 07843> [destroy the city.]
Lord ........... Lord <03068> [And the Lord.]
deliver .............. deliver <05462> [deliver. Heb. shut up.]
deliver .............. deliver <05462> [They will.]
six hundred <03967 08337> [six hundred.]
hill country <02022> [a mountain.]
desert ......... desert <04057> [the wilderness.]
Ziph is mentioned in Joshua with Carmel and Maon, near which it seems to have been situated; and as we have mention of Carmel and Maon in the history of David, as adjoining to Ziph, it cannot be doubted that by the Ziph, in the wilderness of which David now lay, and where was the hill of Hachilah, is to be understood Ziph near Carmel and Maon.
Saul <07586> [Saul.]
God <0430> [but God.]
encouraged him <02388> [strengthened.]
afraid .... hand <03372 03027> [Fear not.]
find <04672> [shall not.]
rule <04427> [thou shalt be.]
second <04932> [I shall be.]
Saul ..................... Saul <07586> [that also Saul.]
Ziphites <02130> [the Ziphites.]
Hakilah <02444> [Hachilah.]
Calmet states, that Hachilah was a mountain about ten miles south of Jericho, where Jonathan Maccab‘us built the castle of Massada, west of the Dead Sea, and not far from En-gedi.
south <03225> [on the south. Heb. on the right hand. Jeshimon. or, the wilderness.]
Eusebius places Jeshimon ten miles south of Jericho, near the Dead Sea; which agrees extremely well with the position of Hachilah, as stated by Calmet.
discretion <0185> [all the desire.]
Delivering him <05462> [our part.]
Determine precisely ........ seen <07272 07200> [haunt is. Heb. foot shall be.]
precisely <03045> [take knowledge.]
find <02664> [I will search.]
thousands <0505> [the thousands.]
desert <04057> [the wilderness.]
Maon, from which the adjoining mountainous district derived its name, was city in the most southern parts of the tribe of Judah, and a neighbouring town to Carmel. Hence Nabal (ch. 25:2) is described as a man of Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and though he might dwell generally in Maon, yet he is styled Nabal the Carmelite, from the place where his estate lay. Calmet supposes it to be the city Mino‹s, which Eusebius places in the vicinity of Gaza; and the Moenoemi Castrum, which the Theodosian code places near Beersheba.
Maon <04584> [Maon.]
south <03225> [the south.]
rock <05553> [into a rock. or, from the rock.]
David ............. David ... hurrying .............. David <02648 01732> [David made haste.]
<03212> [away.]
came <0935> [there came.]
Philistines <06430> [the Philistines.]
raided <06584> [invaded. Heb. spread themselves upon.]
Sela Hammahlekoth <05555> [Sela-hammahlekoth. that is, the rock of divisions.]
Because, says the Targum, "the heart of the king was divided to go hither and thither." Here Saul was obliged to separate himself from David, in order to go and oppose the invading Philistines; which deliverance of David was of such a nature as made the Divine interposition fully visible.
The district around En-gedi, near the western coast of the Dead Sea, is reported by travellers to be a mountainous territory, filled with caverns; and consequently, proper for David in his present circumstances. Dr. Lightfoot thinks this was the wilderness of Judah, in which David was when he penned the 63rd Psalm, which breathes as much pious and devout affection as almost any of his Psalms; for in all places and in all conditions he still kept up his communion with God.--If Christians knew their privileges better, and acted up thereto, there would be less murmuring at the dark dispensations of Divine Providence.
