1 Samuel 23:25-29
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.
