1 Samuel 23

David hearing that Kehila was besieged, vers. 1, &c. Relieveth it, and smiteth the Philistines, by Gods command, 2. Abiathar cometh thither unto David, bringing the Ephod with him, 6. Saul intended to enclose David there, and to take him, 7. Wherefore he assyeth to besiege Kehila, 8. David not confiding in those of Kehila, asketh counsel of the Lord by Abiathar, 9. The Lord acquinteth David, that those of Kehila were minded to deliver him up into the hands of Saul, 11. Wherefore he fleeth thence to the wilderness of Ziph, with those six hundred men that were with him, 13. Where Jonathan cometh to him, and reneweth the covenant of friendship with him, 16. And comforteth him, 17. Those of Ziph betray David unto Saul, 19. For which Saul thanketh them, 21. And exhorteth them diligently to heed all things, 22. He pursueth David with his camp in the wilderness of Maon, 25. Where he environeth him, 26. Saul receiveth tidings, that the Philistines had invaded his Land, 27. Whereby he is constrained to leave off from pursuing after David, 28.

1. And they told David, [viz. When he was in the land of Juda, in the forest of Chereth, above chapter 22.5. That which is here described, came to pass before Abiathar came and fled to David, and brought him the sad news of the murder of the Priests, below ver.6. wherefore some translate the first words of this verse thus: Now David was told] saying: Behold, the Philistines fight against Kehila, [this city lay in the tribe of Juda, as appeareth Jos.15.44.] and they spoil the barns. [or, threshing-floor; i.e. the provision of corn that was gathered and laid upon the barns.]

2. And David inquired of the LORD, [Either by the Prophet Gad, (who was with him I Sam.22.5.) or, by Abiathar, who came to David, when he went to Kehila, ver.6.] saying, shall I go forth and smite these Philistines? and the LORD said unto David, Go forth, and thou shalt smite the Philistines, and deliver Kehila.

3. But Davids men said unto him, Behold, we are afraid [viz. Of Saul, who pursueth us as enemies] here in Juda: [viz, here in the forest of Cherith, where they were at that time, lying in Juda, above chap.22.5. Kehila lay also in Juda] how much more, [understand withal shall we be afraid, viz. when we shall have the Philistines before us, and Saul behind us, and so shall have two enemies to encounter withal, instead of one] when we shall go to Kehila against the Philistines Battalids.

4. Then David enquired of the LORD yet further, [Heb. And David went on to enquire of the LORD. Understand this thus, that David enquired of the Lord the second time, not so much in regard of himself, as in regard of his souldiers. Which were timorous and fearful to go to Kehila] and the LORD answered him, and said, Get thee up, go down to Kehila, for I will give the Philistines into thine hand. [viz. before Saul shall be able to assault thee]

5. So David and his men marched to Kehila, and he fought against the Philistines, and drove away their cattle, and he smote a great slaughter among them: so David delivered the inhabitants of Kehila.

6. And it came to pass [Otherwise, It was come to passé] when Abiathar the son of Achimelech fled to David to Kehila: that he came down with the Ephod in his hand. [i.e. when he hastily fled, he took the Ephod along with him in his hand, wherein the Urim and the Thummim were, whereby they enquired of the Lord, Exodus 28:30. Oth. That the Ephod came to him in his hand.]

7. When it was made known to Saul, that David was come to Kehila; then said Saul, God hath delivered up [Heb. Properly aliened, estranged: that which is delivered up, is aliened or estranged] into mine hand, foe he is shut up, entering into a city with gates and bars. [Heb. a city of gates and bars: as if he should say, David thinking to be safe and secure in a fenced city, hath as it were imprisoned himself, for when I do encompass and besiege the City with an Army, he can no ways escape.]

8. Then Saul caused all the people to be called to the battle: to go down to Kehila, to besiege David and his men.

9. Now when David understood that Saul secretly intended [Oth. Forged] this evil against him, [intimating, that Saul continually plotted, practised, and laboured with all his senses night and day to mischieve and kill David] he said unto Abiathar the Priest, Bring hither the Ephod. [viz. with Breast-plate, and put it on, and ask counsel of the Lord for me by Urim and Thummim. See Numb.27.21.]

10. And David said, LORD God of Israel, thy servant [i.e. I] hath certainly heared [Heb. hearing hath heard] that Saul seeketh to come to Kehila, and to destroy the city for my sake.

11. Will the Citizens [Oth. The Lords: see Judg.92. in the annotate.] of Kehila also deliver me into his hand? will Saul come down [understand withal, If I tarry here, as appeareth ver.14.] according as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, make it known unto thy servant I pray thee! now the LORD said, he will come down.

12. Then David said, Will the Citizens of Kehila deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver (thee) up. [viz. If thou abidest in this City within the walss thereof.]

13. Then David and his men gat them up, about six hundred men, and they went out of Kehila, and they went whither they could go; when it was told Saul that David was escaped out of Kehila, then he forbare to go forth. [Intimating that Saul dismissed his souldiers, not pursuing David further with military power.]

14. Now David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and he remained on the mountain in the wilderness of Ziph: and Saul sought him every day, [i.e. Continually from time to time, at least as long as David remained in the hold; for when David went to the Philistines, then Saul gave over seeking him, I Sam.27.4.] but God delivered him not into his hand.

15. Then David saw [i.e. Came to hear, viz. by his spies, which he sent forth: or, by his friends which he had in Juda] that Saul was gone forth to seek his soul: then was David in the wilderness of Ziph in a forest.

16. Then Jonathan the son of Saul gat him up, and he went to David into the forest: and he strengthened his hand in God, [i.e. He strengthened and comforted him, putting him in mind of the promises of God, as appeareth, v.17.]

17. And he said unto him: Fear not, for the hand of Saul my father shall not send thee, but thou shalt be King over Israel, and I shall be the second with thee; [It seemed that David had promised his friend Jonathan this, when they entered into Covenant one with another. Heb. I shall be a second to thee, or, let me be the second next to thee] also my father Saul knoweth it well. [Samuel had sufficiently acquainted Saul herewith, above chap.15.28.]

18. And they both made a covenant [i.e. They renewed the covenant which they had formerly made one with another, chap.18.3. & 20.16.] before the face of the LORD, [i.e. a firm covenant in the presence of the Lord Priest: or, they made a covenant, which they ratified with an oath, and whereunto they called upon God to be witness] and David abode in the forest, but Jonathan went to his house,

19. Then went up Ziphites, [i.e. The inhabitants of Ziph: there were two cities so called: the one lay on the uttermost border of Juda Southward, whereof mention is made, Jos.15.24. The other lay more inward in the land about the wilderness of Moan; whereof see Jos.15.55. That is the Ziph, of which mention is made in this place, lying on a mountain. Below chapter 26,1. its said, that the Ziphites attempted the second time to deliver up David unto Saul. Now how David in this distress went to God for refuge, see Psal.54. which he at that time made] to Saul to Gibea, saying, Hath not David hid himself with us in the strong holds in the woods, [as if they should say, David hath certainly hid himself from us: see of such questions, Gen.13. v.9.] on the hill of Hachila, which is on the right hand of the wilderness [Oth. Which is on the South of Jesimon.]

20. Now then, O King, come down speedily, [Heb. Coming down come down] according to all the desire of thy soul; and it becometh us [See this phrase Mich.3.1. with the annotate.] to deliver him into the Kings hand.

21. Then said Saul, Blessed be ye to the LORD, [Thus he abuseth the holy Name of God, to put them on to a filthy and abominable treachery] in that ye have pitcht on me. [as if he would say, ye be the men, that deliver me out of the hand of David, who seeketh my destruction.]

22. Go your ways, I pray you, and prepare (the matter) yet more, [See that all things be cunningly carried, and well ordered, that he may not slip away from us] know and see his place where his haunt is, [Heb. foot. i.e. where he hides himself, or makes his abode, where he commonly hath his haunt, and dog him there close] who hath seen him there; for he [viz. David himself when he was yet with me, and I asked him how he came to be so successful in war] told me, that he was wont to deal very cunningly. [Heb. that he dealing cunningly, dealt cunningly, or, used crast and subtilty]

23. Therefore look to (it), and enquire after all lurking places wherein he lurketh, then come to me again with sure notice, then will I go with you; and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Juda.

24. Then they gat up, and they went to Ziph, before the face of Saul, now David and his men were in the wilderness of Moan, in the plain field, on the right hand of the wilderness.

25. Saul and his men went also to seek: that was told David, who was gone down from that rock, [viz. From the hill of Hachila in the wilderness, where he had hid himself: from thence he went where he had more scope or room, namely into the wilderness of Moan, vers.19. where he could better get away, when Saul chased and pursued after him] and abode in the wilderness of Moan: [see the annotate. on Jos.15.55.] when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Moan.

26. And Saul went on the other side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain: now it came to pass that David made haste to get away from the face of Saul, and Saul and his men encompassed David and his men round about, to take them.

27. But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying: Make haste, and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land, [Or, Have spread themselves in the land.]

28. Then Saul returned from pursuing after David, and he went to meet the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela Mach lekoth. [Or, Sela Hammach lekoth; i.e. Rock of divisions, which was so called, because Saul was constrained to divide his men, and to leave David, for to pursue after the Philistines, or to resist them.]