1 Samuel 23:29--24:22
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.
Saul <07586> [when Saul.]
pursuing <0310> [following. Heb. after. it was told.]
desert <04057> [the wilderness.]
Saul took <03947 07586> [Saul took.]
<03212> [and went.]
rocks <06697> [the rocks.]
sheepfolds <01448> [the sheepcotes.]
Caves in the rocks, in which it is still common for shepherds and their flocks to lodge. Dr. Pococke observes, "Beyond the valley [of Tekoa,] there is a very large grotto, which the Arabs call El-Maamah, a hiding place: the high rocks on each side of the valley are almost perpendicular; and the way to the grotto is by a terrace formed in the rock, which is very narrow. There are two entrances into it; we went by the farthest, which leads by a narrow passage into a very large grotto, the rock being supported by natural pillars; the top of it rises in several places like domes; the grotto is perfectly dry. There is a tradition, that the people of the country, to the number of 30,000, retired into this grotto, to avoid a bad air. This place is so strong, that one would imagine it to be one of the strong holds of En-gedi, to which David and his men fled from Saul: and possibly it may be that very cave in which he cut off Saul's skirt; for David and his men might, with good ease, lie hid there and not be seen by him." Travels, vol. ii. P. 1. p. 41.
Saul <07586> [and Saul.]
relieve <05526> [to cover.]
David <01732> [David.]
<0582> [the men.]
give <05414> [I will deliver.]
Saul's robe <04598 07586> [Saul's robe. Heb. the robe which was Saul's.]
David's ... bothered <03820 01732> [David's heart.]
keep me far away from <03068 02486> [the Lord forbid.]
restrained <08156> [stayed. Heb. cut off.]
allow <05414> [suffered.]
lord <0113> [My lord.]
David ........................ David kneeled <01732 06915> [David stooped.]
told .... kill .......... said <0559 02026> [bade me.]
Lord ........................................ Lord's <03068> [the Lord's.]
father <01> [my father.]
evil <07451> [neither evil.]
waiting <06658> [thou huntest.]
Lord judge .......... Lord <08199 03068> [Lord judge.]
hand <03027> [but mine hand.]
evil <07562> [Wickedness.]
king <04428> [the king.]
dead dog ... single <04191 03611 0259> [a dead dog.]
single flea <0259 06550> [a flea.]
arbiter <01781> [be judge.]
arbitrate <07378> [plead.]
judge ............ deliver <08199> [deliver. Heb. judge.]
voice ........ loudly <06963> [Is this.]
Saul Saul .......... Then Saul <07586 05375> [Saul lifted.]
innocent <06662> [Thou art.]
treated ........ tried <01580> [thou hast.]
Lord <03068> [Lord.]
delivered ..... hand <05462 03027> [delivered me. Heb. shut me up.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
realize <03045> [I know well.]
swear <07650> [Swear.]
not ....... or destroy <0518 08045> [that thou.]
David .............. David <01732 0582> [David and.]
stronghold <04686> [the hold.]
