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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:27

But there came a messenger unto Saul ,.... From his court, by order of his council there; though the Jews F20 Midrash apud Yalkut in loc. say it was an angel from heaven; but be it which it will, it was certainly the providence of God that directed this affair, that a messenger should come to Saul just at that very time that David was like to fall into his hands: saying, haste thee, and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land ; were come into it, and spread themselves in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:28

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:29

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 F23 Works, vol. 1. p. 58. thinks he penned the sixty third psalm, Psalm 63:1 , the wilderness about Engedi being the most desert of all other places, that being upon the borders of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 23:1

The Philistines fight against Keilah - Keilah was a fortified town in the tribe of Judah near to Eleutheropolis, on the road to Hebron. Rob the threshing-floors - This was an ancient custom of the Philistines, Midianites, and others. See Judges 6:4 . When the corn was ripe and fit to be threshed, and they had collected it at the threshing-floors, which were always in the open field, then their enemies came upon them and spoiled them of the fruits of their harvest. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 noble. Had not David loved his country, and been above all motives of private and personal revenge, he would have rejoiced in this invasion of Judah as producing a strong diversion in his favor, and embroiling... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 23:6

Came down with an ephod - I think this verse should come immediately after 1 Samuel 23:1 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 23:10-12 ; contain the words of the consultation, and the Lord's answer. But see on 1 Samuel 23:2 ; (note). read more

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