CHAPTER XXIII _David succours Keilah, besieged by the Philistines; defeats_ _them, and delivers the city_, 1-6. _Saul, hearing that David was at Keilah, determines to come and_ _seize him_, 7, 8. _David inquires of the Lord concerning the fidelity of the men of_ _Keilah towards him; is informe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:2. _THEREFORE DAVID INQUIRED OF THE LORD_] In what way David made this inquiry we are not told, but it was probably by means of Abiathar; and therefore I think, with Houbigant that the sixth verse should be read immediately after the first. The adventure mentioned here was truly no... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:4. _DAVID INQUIRED OF THE LORD YET AGAIN_] This was to satisfy his men, who made the strong objections mentioned in the preceding verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:5. _BROUGHT AWAY THEIR CATTLE_] The forage and spoil which the Philistines had taken, driving the country before them round about Keilah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:6. _CAME DOWN_ WITH _AN EPHOD._] I think this verse should come immediately after 1 Samuel 23:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:8. _SAUL CALLED ALL THE PEOPLE TOGETHER_] That is, all the people of that region or district, that they might scour the country, and hunt out David from all his haunts.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:9. _BRING HITHER THE EPHOD._] It seems as if David himself, clothed with the ephod, had consulted the Lord; and 1 Samuel 23:10-9 contain the words of the consultation, and the Lord's answer. But see on 1 Samuel 23:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:11-9. In these verses we find the following questions and answers: - David said, _Will Saul come down to Keilah_? And the Lord said, _He will come down. Will the men of Keilah deliver me_ _and my men into the hand of Saul_? And the Lord said, _They will_ _deliver_ thee _up_. In th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:12. 1 Samuel 23:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:14. _WILDERNESS OF ZIPH_] Ziph was a city in the southern part of Judea, not far from Carmel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:16. _AND JONATHAN - STRENGTHENED HIS HAND IN GOD._] It is probable that there was always a secret intercourse between David and Jonathan, and that by this most trusty friend he was apprised of the various designs of Saul to take away his life. As Jonathan well knew that God had ap... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:25. _THE WILDERNESS OF MAON._] Maon was a mountainous district in the most southern parts of Judah. Calmet supposes it to be the city of _Menois_, which Eusebius places in the vicinity of Gaza; and the _Maenaemi Castrum_, which the Theodosian code places near to Beersheba.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:26. _SAUL WENT ON THIS SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN_] Evidently not knowing that David and his men were on the other side.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 23:27. _THERE CAME A MESSENGER_] See the providence of God exerted for the salvation of David's life! David and his men are almost surrounded by Saul and his army, and on the point of being taken, when a messenger arrives and informs Saul that the Philistines had invaded the land! But... [ Continue Reading ]
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
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 b... [ Continue Reading ]