1 Samuel 24:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-8

Here, I. Saul renews his pursuit of David, 1 Sam. 24:1, 2. No sooner had he come home safely from chasing the Philistines, in which it should seem he had good success, than he enquired after David to do him a mischief, and resolved to have another thrust at him, as if he had been delivered to do all these abominations, Jer. 7:10. By the frequent incursions of the Philistines, he might have seen how necessary it was to recall David from his banishment and restore him to his place in the army... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:2

Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel ,.... Out of his army, with which he had been pursuing the Philistines: and went to seek David, and his men, upon the rocks of the wild goats ; which were in the wilderness of Engedi; those rocks were exceeding high and terrible to look at, full of precipices, and so prominent, that to travellers they seemed as if they would fall into the adjacent valleys, that it even struck terror into them to look at them F24 Adrichom... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 24:2

Rocks of the wild goats - The original ( היעלים צורי tsurey haiyeelim ) is variously understood. The Vulgate makes a paraphrase: Super abruptissimas petras quae solis ibicibus perviae sunt ; "On the most precipitous rocks over which the ibexes alone can travel." The Targum: the caverns of the rocks. The Septuagint make the original a proper name; for out of היעלים צרוי tsurey haiyeelim , they make Σαδδαιεμ Saddaiem , and in some copies Αειαμειν Aeiamein , which are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-7

Instruction in caves. The facts are— 1 . Saul, having repelled the incursion of the Philistines, returns to pursue David in the wilderness of Engedi. 2 . Saul, entering privately into a cave while David and his men lie concealed there, comes unwittingly within the power of David. 3 . David's men, referring to a Divine prediction, urge him to slay Saul. 4 . Apparently to indicate how entirely Saul was within his power, David stealthily cuts off the skirt of his coat. 5 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:2

Chosen . See on this word 1 Samuel 9:2 . The rocks of the wild goats. Apparently this was the proper name of some cliffs near En-gedi, so called from their being frequented by the ibex, or Syrian chamois, an animal which, according to Thomson is still found there. It shows Saul's pertinacious hatred of David, that no sooner was the war with the Philistines over, than he pursues him with 3000 picked warriors into these lonely fastnesses. Comp. Psalms 57:4 , written, according to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 24:2

The rocks of the wild goats - To signify the craggy precipitous character of the country. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 24:2

1 Samuel 24:2. Upon the rocks of the wild goats Which the wild goats used to delight in and climb over. These same rocks are exceeding steep, and full of precipices, and dangerous to travellers, as an eye-witness hath left upon record. And yet Saul was so transported with rage as to venture himself and his army here, that he might take David, who, as he thought, would judge himself safe, and therefore be secure in such inaccessible places. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Saul’s fierce hunt (23:1-24:22)Since Abiathar had brought with him the high priest’s ephod (containing the Urim and Thummim), David was able to ask and receive God’s direct guidance. God’s first direction was to rescue the Israelite town of Keilah from the raiding Philistines (23:1-6). As soon as he had defeated the Philistines, David withdrew from Keilah. He knew that Saul’s army was larger and better equipped than his. He knew also that he could not trust the people of Keilah to stand with... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 24:2

men . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . his men . Hebrew 'enosh. App-14 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 24:2

2. Saul . . . went . . . to seek David . . . upon the rocks of the wild goats—Nothing but the blind infatuation of fiendish rage could have led the king to pursue his outlawed son-in-law among those craggy and perpendicular precipices, where were inaccessible hiding places. The large force he took with him seemed to give him every prospect of success. But the overruling providence of God frustrated all his vigilance. read more

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