1 Samuel 23:28

_WHEREFORE SAUL RETURNED FROM PURSUING AFTER DAVID, AND WENT AGAINST THE PHILISTINES: THEREFORE THEY CALLED THAT PLACE SELA-HAMMAH-LEKOTH._ THEREFORE THEY CALLED THAT PLACE SELA-HAMMAHLEKOTH х_ CELA`-HA-MACHLªQOWT_ (H5555), rock of escapes (Gesenius). The Septuagint renders it Petra hee meristheisa, the rock divided; probably in allusion to the natural features of the rock.]...

19-29 In the midst of his wickedness, Saul affected to speak the language of piety. Such expressions, without suitable effects, can only amuse or deceive those who hear, and those who use them. This mountain was an emblem of the Divine Providence coming between David and the destroyer. Let us not be dismayed at the prospect of future difficulties, but stay ourselves upon Him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working. Sooner than his promise shall fail, he will commission Philistines to effect our escape, at the very moment when our case appears most desperate. God requires entire dependence on him, If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established, Isaiah 7:9....

Verse 1 Samuel 23:28. _THEY CALLED THAT PLACE SELA-HAMMAH-LEKOTH._] 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....

SELA-HAMMAHLEKOTH - See the margin. (Identified by Conder with a narrow and impassable gorge between El Kolah and Maon, called Malaky)....

EXPOSITION SAUL'S PURSUIT OF DAVID IN THE WILDERNESS OF ZIPH (1 Samuel 23:14-9). 1 SAMUEL 23:14, 1 SAMUEL 23:15 STRONG HOLDS. Natural fortresses in the woods and mountains are meant, and places difficult of access. THE WILDERNESS OF ZIPH. This lay to the south of Hebron, upon the edge of the great desert of Judah (Joshua 15:55). Saul sought him every day.

THEREFORE SAUL RETURNED FROM PURSUING AFTER DAVID,.... Stopped short at once, as soon as ever he received the message: AND WENT AGAINST THE PHILISTINES; to stop them in their progress, and drive them out of his country: THEREFORE THEY CALLED THAT PLACE SELAHAMMAHLEKOTH, which signifies the rock of divisions. David and his men, very probably, gave it this name, not only because it divided between Saul and his men, and David and his men, when they were one on one side of it, and the other on the other side of it; but because Saul was, by the providence of God, divided and separated from David here, whereby he escaped falling into his hands. The Targum is, "therefore they called that place the rock of division, the place where the heart of the king was divided to go here and there:'' he was divided in his own mind, and at a loss what to do; he was in two minds, as Jarchi says, and did n...

SELAHAMMAHLEKOTH That is, The Crag (or Cliff) of Divisions....

CHAPTER 23 _ 1. The victory over the Philistines at Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1)_ 2. In the wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:14) 3. Saul's return (1 Samuel 23:27) Keilah was about six miles southeast of Adullam. David heard of the invasion of the Philistines that they were fighting against this walled city. And he inquired of the Lord, through Abiathar, who had an ephod (verse 6). David's inquiry of the Lord shows the man of faith in his submission to the Lord. He had his lapses, but at heart he owned the Lord and wanted to glorify Him. Twice he asked the Lord; the second time evidently to quiet the fears of the six hundred men who were now with him. The Lord gave him the victory. The

1 SAMUEL 23. DAVID ESCAPES FROM SAUL (J). 1 Samuel 23:1. David hears that the Philistines are raiding the territory of Keilah (p. 31), a little S. of Adullam. He ascertains by oracles, probably using the ephod and the Urim and Thummim (pp. 100f.), that Yahweh approves of his going to the rescue; he thus overcomes the reluctance of his men. The expedition is entirely successful, but the ungrateful citizens of Keilah offered to surrender David and his men to Saul. It is quite possible that this troop of bandits, now grown to 600, had quartered themselves on Keilah, and were treating it as a conquered city. It would be interesting to hear the story from the point of view of Keilah; they may have felt that this act of treachery was the only way of getting rid of an intolerable burden. David, however, heard rumours, which were confirmed by the oracle, and left the place; so the scheme w

SELA-HAMMAHLEKOTH. the cliff of divisions or separations. Now Wady _Malaky,_ where two forces could be inaccessible the one to the other, and yet within sight and hearing....