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Commentary on 1 Samuel 23 verses 19–29
Here, 1. The Ziphites offer their service to Saul, to betray David to him, Sa1 23:19, Sa1 23:20. He was sheltering himself in the wilderness of Ziph (Sa1 23:14, Sa1 23:15), putting the more confidence in the people of that country because they were of his own tribe. They had reason to think themselves happy that they had an opportunity of serving one who was the ornament of their tribe and was likely to be much more so, who was so far from plundering the country, or giving it any disturbance with his troops, that he was ready to protect it and to them all the good offices that there was occasion for. But, to ingratiate themselves with Saul, they went to him, and not only informed him very particularly where David quartered (Sa1 23:19), but invited him to come with his forces into their country in pursuit of him, and promised to deliver him into his hand, Sa1 23:20. Saul had not sent to examine or threaten them, but of their own accord, and even without asking a reward (as Judas did - What will you give me?), they offered to betray David to him who, they knew, thirsted after his blood. 2. Saul thankfully receives their information, and gladly lays hold of the opportunity of hunting David in their wilderness, in hopes to make a prey of him at length. He intimates to them how kindly he took it (Sa1 23:21): Blessed be you of the Lord (so near is God to his mouth, though far from his heart), for you have compassion on me. It seems he looked upon himself as a miserable man and an object of pity; his own envy and ill-nature made him so, otherwise he might have been easy and have needed no man's compassion. He likewise insinuates the little concern that the generality of his people showed for him. "You have compassion on me, which others have not." Saul gives them instructions to search more particularly for his haunts (Sa1 23:22), "for" (says he) "I hear he deals very subtilely," representing him as a man crafty to do mischief, whereas all his subtlety was to secure himself. It was strange that Saul did not go down with them immediately, but he hoped by their means to set his game with the more certainty, and thus divine Providence gave David time to shift for himself. But the Ziphites had laid their spies upon all the places where he was likely to be discovered, and therefore Saul might come and seize him if he was in the land, Sa1 23:23. New he thought himself sure of his prey and pleased himself with the thoughts of devouring it. 3. The imminent peril that David was now brought into. Upon intelligence that the Ziphites had betrayed him, he retired from the hill of Hachilah to the wilderness of Maon (Sa1 23:24), and at this time he penned the 54th Psalm, as appears by the title, wherein he calls the Ziphites strangers, though they were Israelites, because they used him barbarously; but he puts himself under the divine protection: "Behold, God is my helper, and then all shall be well" Saul, having got intelligence of him, pursued him closely (Sa1 23:25), till he came so near him that there was but a mountain between them (Sa1 23:26), David and his men on one side of the mountain flying and Saul and his men on the other side pursuing, David in fear and Saul in hope. But this mountain was an emblem of the divine Providence coming between David and the destroyer, like the pillar of cloud between the Israelites and the Egyptians. David was concealed by this mountain and Saul confounded by it. David now flees as a bird to his mountain (Psa 11:1) and finds God to him as the shadow of a great rock. Saul hoped with his numerous forces to enclose David, and compass him in and his men; but the ground did not prove convenient for his design, and so it failed. A new name was given to the place in remembrance of this (Sa1 23:28): Selah-hammah-lekoth - the rock of division, because it divided between Saul and David. 4. The deliverance of David out of this danger. Providence gave Saul a diversion, when he was just ready to lay hold of David; notice was brought him that the Philistines were invading the land (Sa1 23:27), probably that part of the land where his own estate lay, which would be seized, or at least spoiled, by the invaders; for the little notice he took of Keilah's distress and David's relief of it, in the beginning of this chapter, gives us cause to suspect that he would not now have left pursuing David, and gone to oppose the Philistines, if some private interests of his own had not been at stake. However it was, he found himself under a necessity of going against the Philistines (Sa1 23:28), and by this means David was delivered when he was on the brink of destruction. Saul was disappointed of his prey, and God was glorified as David's wonderful protector. When the Philistines invaded the land they were far from intending any kindness to David by it, yet the overruling providence of God, which orders all events and the times of them, made it very serviceable to him. The wisdom of God is never at a loss for ways and means to preserve his people. As this Saul was diverted, so another Saul was converted, just then when he was breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the saints of the Lord, Act 9:1. 5. David, having thus escaped, took shelter in some natural fortresses, which he found in the wilderness of En-gedi, Sa1 23:29. And this Dr. Lightfoot thinks was the wilderness of Judah, in which David was when he penned Psa 63:1-11, which breathes as much pious and devout affection as almost any of his psalms; for in all places and in all conditions he still kept up his communion with God.
This is what happened to Paul. For the potency of the light suddenly surprised his feeble eyes and injured them. But the greatness of the voice brought low his strength and entered his ears and opened them.… For the voice did not plough up the ears, as the light injured the eyeballs. Why? But because it was necessary that he should hear but not see. Therefore the doors of hearing were opened by the voice as by a key: but the doors of sight were shut by the light that should open them. Why then was it necessary that he should hear? Clearly because by that voice our Lord was able to reveal himself as being persecuted by Saul. For he was not able to show himself by sight as being persecuted; for there was no way whereby this should be, that the son of David should be seen fleeing and Saul pursuing after him. For this happened in very deed with that first Saul and with the first David. The one was pursuing; the other was being persecuted; they both of them saw and were seen, each by the other. But here the ear alone could hear of the persecution of the Son of David; the eye could not see that he was being persecuted.
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SUMMARY
Following a miraculous deliverance from King Saul's relentless pursuit in the wilderness of Maon, 1 Samuel 23:29 marks a pivotal geographical and strategic shift for David. He relocates to the rugged, defensible terrain of Engedi, a desert oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. This move underscores David's ongoing fugitive status and the extreme peril he faced, yet simultaneously highlights God's faithful provision of refuge and strategic advantage amidst intense persecution, setting the stage for further dramatic encounters in his journey toward the throne.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several subtle yet potent literary devices. Geographical Significance is paramount, as Engedi is not merely a location but a place whose natural features (perennial springs, towering cliffs, intricate cave systems) inherently convey themes of refuge, sustenance, and strategic advantage. The name itself, "fountain of the kid," carries a gentle Symbolism, hinting at life and vulnerability within a harsh environment, yet also resilience and God's provision in unexpected places. There is also an underlying Irony in David, God's anointed king-in-waiting, being forced to live as a hunted fugitive in caves and natural fortresses, while Saul, the rejected king, occupies the royal palace. This stark contrast highlights the inversion of human and divine perspectives on power and legitimacy, emphasizing that God's chosen one finds security not in man-made structures but in natural, divinely provided havens, setting the stage for future encounters where David's character is tested and proven in these very "strong holds."
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 23:29 powerfully illustrates the theme of divine refuge and the faithfulness of God to His chosen servants amidst persecution. David's flight to Engedi, following a miraculous deliverance, echoes a recurring pattern in biblical narratives where God provides a "way of escape" or a secure haven for His people when they are pursued by enemies. This physical refuge in the "strong holds" of Engedi serves as a tangible representation of the spiritual truth that God Himself is our ultimate fortress and deliverer. It foreshadows the broader theological concept that even in the wilderness experiences of life, God's presence ensures safety and provision for those who trust in Him, preparing them for future leadership and fulfillment of His promises, demonstrating that His protection is both miraculous and practical.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of David's flight to Engedi in 1 Samuel 23:29 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers facing adversity. David's life as a fugitive, marked by constant threat yet sustained by divine intervention, reminds us that God's providence is not limited to comfortable circumstances but is profoundly evident in our most vulnerable moments. When we feel cornered, betrayed, or relentlessly pursued by life's challenges, this verse encourages us to actively seek God's "strong holds"—whether they are literal safe spaces, spiritual disciplines like prayer and scripture, or the supportive community of faith. It calls us to exercise both faith and wisdom: trusting in God's miraculous deliverance while also prudently taking steps to secure our well-being. David's perseverance in the face of injustice serves as a powerful model, urging us not to despair but to continue trusting in God's overarching plan, knowing that He can turn even the most desolate wilderness into a place of refuge and preparation for His sovereign purposes. Our response to adversity, like David's, should be one of active faith, seeking both divine intervention and practical wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Engedi such a strategic location for David?
Answer: Engedi was strategically vital for David because of its unique geography. It is a desert oasis with perennial springs, providing essential water and vegetation in an otherwise arid region. More critically, its rugged terrain features steep cliffs, deep wadis (canyons), and numerous natural caves. These features offered excellent concealment from Saul's pursuing army, natural defenses against attack, and elevated vantage points for observation. It allowed David and his men to sustain themselves while remaining largely undetectable and highly defensible, making it an ideal "strong hold" for a fugitive leader. This strategic choice is further highlighted by the dramatic encounter that takes place there in 1 Samuel 24.
How does David's flight to Engedi demonstrate God's faithfulness?
Answer: David's flight to Engedi directly follows a miraculous divine intervention. In 1 Samuel 23:27-28, Saul had David completely surrounded in Maon, on the verge of capture. At that critical moment, a sudden Philistine invasion forced Saul to abandon his pursuit, allowing David to escape. His subsequent move to Engedi, a place of natural refuge, demonstrates God's continued provision of safety and strategic advantage. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to protect His anointed, even when human efforts seem futile, proving that His providence extends to providing both miraculous deliverance and practical, secure havens for His servants. This event reinforces the biblical truth that God is a faithful protector and provider for those He has chosen.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's flight to Engedi, finding refuge in "strong holds" from Saul's relentless persecution, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Christ. David, the anointed king-in-waiting, is unjustly hunted and forced into a life of hardship, mirroring the ultimate persecution faced by Jesus, the true King of Israel. Just as God provided a physical refuge for David in the wilderness, so too does Christ offer ultimate spiritual refuge to all who are pursued by sin, death, and the forces of evil. Jesus Himself, the "stone the builders rejected" (Psalm 118:22), became our "rock and our fortress" (Psalm 18:2). He experienced homelessness and rejection during His earthly ministry (Matthew 8:20), yet through His sacrifice on the cross, He established the ultimate "strong hold" for humanity—salvation and eternal security in Him. His resurrection from the grave (Romans 6:9) is the definitive act of divine deliverance, providing a secure and eternal haven for all who believe, a fulfillment of the temporary, earthly refuge found by David at Engedi. In Christ, we find not just a temporary escape, but an everlasting dwelling place, safe from all spiritual adversaries and assured of ultimate victory.