1 Samuel 23:28

1 Samuel 23:28 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela–hammahlekoth.
• New International Version (NIV)Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape.

Context of 1 Samuel 23:28

26Saul and his men were going along one side of the mountain. David and his men were on the other side of the mountain. They were moving quickly to escape from Saul. Saul and his men were getting very near to David and his men. They would soon catch them. 27But then a man arrived with a message for Saul. He said to Saul, ‘Come quickly. The Philistines are attacking our land!’ So Saul stopped chasing after David. Instead, he went to fight against the Philistines. So people call that place ‘The rock where they escaped’. 29David left that place. He went to hide in the safe places at En Gedi.

1 Samuel 23:28 word by word

וַיָּ֣שָׁב שָׁא֗וּל מִרְדֹף֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י דָוִ֔ד וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ לִקְרַ֣את פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים עַל־כֵּ֗ן קָֽרְאוּ֙ לַמָּק֣וֹם הַה֔וּא סֶ֖לַע הַֽמַּחְלְקֽוֹת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Wherefore Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• returnedשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• from pursuingרָדַףrâdaph · to pursueH7291
• afterאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• and wentיָלַךְyâlak · to walkH3212
• againstקִרְאָהqir'âh · befallH7125
• the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּיpelishtîy · PhilistineH6430
• therefore they calledקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call byH7121
• that placeמָקוֹםmâqôm mâqôm meqômâh meqômâh · placeH4725
• Sela–hammahlekothסֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹתsela‛ hammachleqôth · Rock of EscapeH5555

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 23:28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28They 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.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28Sela-hammahlekoth - See the margin. (Identified by Conder with a narrow and impassable gorge between El Kolah and Maon, called Malaky).Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-29Verses 19-29 In the midst of his wickedness, Saul affected to speak the language of piety. Such expressions, without suitable effects, can only amuse or deceive those who hear, and those who use them. This mountain was an emblem of the Divine Providence coming between David and the destroyer. Let us not be dismayed at the prospect of future difficulties, but stay ourselves upon Him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working. Sooner than his…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 28Sela-hammahlekoth: The Hebrew name is often translated "Rock of Escape." People in ancient Israel often gave place names to remember their thanks to God (for example, Genesis 22:14; 28:19; 32:30). The exact rock formation that received this name is unknown.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 23:28

• David
• Sela-Hammahlekoth

In the dictionaries

• David
• Philistines
• Saul
• Paul, Saul
• Sela-Hammahlekoth
• Town
• Palestine
• Samuel, Books of
• Selahammahlekoth

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings