John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 23:1-29
David delivers Keilah and afterwards retires to the Wilderness of Ziph and maon6. With an ephod in his hand] This is inserted to explain how it was that David was able to enquire of the Lord: see on 1 Samuel 14:18.9. Secretly practised] RV ’devised.’ There was no secrecy about Saul’s methods.14. Ziph] identified with Tell Zif, a rounded hill, 4 m. SE. of Hebron. 15. In a wood] RM ’in Horesh.’ But the true rendering is doubtful. If a proper name, it was more probably a mountain than a wood (cp.... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 23:6-14
David’s escape from Keilah 23:6-14Abiathar had evidently remained in the forest of Hereth when David took his men to attack the Philistines in Keilah (cf. 1 Samuel 22:20-23). Now the priest joined David at Keilah (1 Samuel 23:6). The presence of the ephod made it possible for David to continue to obtain guidance from the Lord in answer to his prayers.Saul piously claimed that God had delivered David into his hands (1 Samuel 23:7). Obviously God had not done this since David was the Lord’s... read more