1 Samuel 23:29

_AND DAVID WENT UP FROM THENCE, AND DWELT IN STRONG HOLDS AT ENGEDI._ David ... dwelt in strong holds at En-gedi, [Septuagint, en tois stenois Engaddi] - in the straits, the rugged cliffs of En-gedi; i:e., 'the spring of the wild goats or gazelles:' a name given to it from the vast number of ibexes, or Syrian chamois, which inhabit these cliffs on the western shore of the Dead Sea (Joshua 15:62). It is now called Ain Jiddy. On all sides the country full of caverns, which might then serve as lurking-places for David and his men, as they do for outlaws at the present day (Robinson)....

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 23:29. _STRONG HOLDS AT EN-GEDI._] En-gedi was situated near to the western coast of the _Dead Sea_, not far from Jeshimon: it literally signifies the _kid's well_, and was celebrated for its _vineyards_, Song of Solomon 1:14. It was also celebrated for its _balm_. It is reported to be a mountainous territory, filled with caverns; and consequently proper for David in his present circumstances. How _threshing-floors_ were made among the ancients, we learn from CATO, _De Re Rustica_, chap. 91, and 129. And as I believe it would be an excellent method to make the most durable and efficient _barn-floors_, I will set it down: - Aream sic facito. Locum ubi facies confodito; postea amurca conspergito bene, s

En-gedi (the fountain of the kid), anciently called Hazezon-Tamar Genesis 14:7 from the palm-trees which used to grow there, still preserves its name in Ain-Djedy. It is about 200 yards from the Dead Sea, about the center of its western shore. It is marked by great luxuriance of vegetation, though the approach to it is through most dangerous and precipitous passes. The country is full of caverns, which serve as lurking places for outlaws at the present day. One of these, a spacious one called Bir-el-Mauquouchieh, with a well in it suitable for watering sheep, close to the Wady Hasasa, may have been the identical cavern in which David cut off Saul’s skirt....

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.

AND DAVID WENT UP FROM THENCE,.... From the wilderness of Maon, having had a narrow escape for his life: AND DWELT IN STRONG HOLDS IN ENGEDI; another place in the tribe of Judah, and which lay in the wilderness of Judah, and from whence that is called the wilderness of Engedi; and here Dr. Lightfoot w thinks he penned the sixty third psalm, Psalms 63:1, the wilderness about Engedi being the most desert of all other places, that being upon the borders of the dead sea; of this place, Joshua 15:62. w Works, vol. 1. p. 58....

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

_at En-gedi_ En-gedi (_fountain of the kid_), now _Ain-Jidy_, is situated about half way along the western shore of the Dead Sea. The precipitous cliffs recede from the water's edge, and enclose a sloping plain watered by the stream which gushes copiously from the limestone rock. Here in the days of Abraham stood the Amorite city of Hazazon-tamar (_pruning of the palm_). See Genesis 14:7; 2 Chronicles 20:2. It is still an oasis in the limestone desert, and though palm-trees and vineyards (Song of Solomon 1:14) have vanished, the petrified leaves of the one and the terraces cut on the hills for the other attest its ancient fertility. On all sides the country is full of caverns which might

_Saul's Pursuit of David._ 1 Samuel 23:19-29 19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which _is_ on the south of Jeshimon? 20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part _shall be_ to deliver him into the king's hand. 21 And Saul said, Blessed _be_ ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me. 22 Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, _and_ who hath seen him there: for it is told me _that_ he dealeth very subtilely. 23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will searc