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 went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain; and David was hurrying to get away from Saul, while Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to apprehend them. 27But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have launched an attack against the land!” So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Division. 29And David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.

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

• So Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• returnedשׁוּבshûb · to return: returnH7725
• from pursuingרָדַףrâdaph · to pursueH7291
• from pursuingאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• and wentהָלַךְhâlak · to go: wentH1980
• to confrontקָרָאqârâ' · to encounter: towardH7122
• the Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּיpelishtîy · PhilistineH6430
• thereforeעַל‛al · uponH5921
• thereforeכֵּןkên · soH3651
• they calledקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call byH7121
• that placeמָקוֹםmâqôm mâqôm meqômâh meqômâh · placeH4725
• the Rockסֶ֫לַעsela‛ · rockH5553
• of Divisionמַחֲלֹ֫קֶתmachălôqeth · divisionH4256

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