1 Samuel 24:1

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David [is] in the wilderness of Engedi.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when Saul {H7586} was returned {H7725} from following {H310} the Philistines {H6430}, that it was told {H5046} him, saying {H559}, Behold, David {H1732} is in the wilderness {H4057} of Engedi {H5872}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Sha'ul returned from pursuing the P'lishtim, he was told that David was in the desert at 'Ein-Gedi.

Berean Standard Bible

After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 24:1 marks a critical turning point in the relentless pursuit of David by King Saul, signaling the resumption of Saul's obsessive hunt for the anointed future king of Israel. After a brief diversion to confront the Philistines, Saul receives intelligence about David's location in the rugged wilderness of Engedi, setting the stage for a dramatic and morally complex encounter that will test David's character and demonstrate his unwavering respect for God's chosen king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a period where Saul's attention was momentarily drawn away from David to address a pressing national threat from the Philistines (1 Samuel 23:27-28). The phrase "when Saul was returned" signifies the end of this brief respite and the re-ignition of Saul's singular, destructive obsession. David had been constantly on the run, experiencing numerous close calls and divine deliverances, including the recent covenant renewal with Jonathan, who affirmed David's future kingship and his own loyal subservience ([1 Samuel 23:16-18](/1_samuel/23-18 "1 Samuel 23:16-18 - Jonathan Encourages David")). This verse thus re-establishes the central conflict of the narrative: the divinely appointed but currently persecuted David versus the divinely rejected but still reigning Saul, whose paranoia and jealousy have consumed him since David's early successes ([1 Samuel 18:8-9](/1_samuel/18-8 "1 Samuel 18:8-9 - Saul's Jealousy of David")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "wilderness of Engedi" was a well-known geographical feature in ancient Israel, located on the western shore of the Dead Sea. This region is characterized by its extremely arid climate, deep wadis (dry riverbeds), steep cliffs, and numerous caves, making it an ideal, albeit harsh, hiding place for fugitives. Culturally, the concept of a "wilderness" (Hebrew: _midbar_) was not merely a barren wasteland but often a place of refuge, testing, and divine encounter, as seen in the experiences of Moses, Elijah, and later, Jesus. Despite its desolate nature, Engedi was unique due to its natural springs and oases, which provided vital water and vegetation, supporting a limited ecosystem and allowing for sustained survival for David and his 600 men. The intelligence network that informed Saul of David's whereabouts highlights the constant danger and betrayal David faced, a common peril for those in flight from royal wrath.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reintroduces several key themes central to the book of 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Relentless Pursuit**, illustrating Saul's unwavering and irrational determination to eliminate David, even at the expense of his kingly duties to protect Israel. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Providence and Protection**, as David, despite being constantly hunted and in seemingly impossible situations, continues to be preserved by God's hand, often finding refuge in unlikely places like the formidable wilderness. Thirdly, the "wilderness of Engedi" serves as a potent symbol of the **Wilderness as Refuge and Testing Ground**, a recurring biblical motif where individuals are refined, their faith tested, and God's presence made manifest in desolate circumstances. Finally, this verse sets the stage for an **Escalating Conflict**, directly leading to the pivotal cave encounter where David will have the opportunity to take Saul's life but chooses instead to demonstrate profound respect for God's anointed, refusing to "stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed" ([1 Samuel 24:6](/1_samuel/24-6 "1 Samuel 24:6 - David Spares Saul")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **returned (Hebrew, שׁוּב, _shuv'_):** This verb signifies a turning back, a resuming of a previous state or action. In this context, it emphasizes Saul's immediate return to his primary obsession – hunting David – after a necessary, but temporary, diversion to confront the Philistines. It underscores the deep-seated nature of his jealousy and paranoia.
* **wilderness (Hebrew, מִדְבָּר, _midbar'_):** More than just a barren desert, _midbar_ refers to an uncultivated, sparsely populated area, often used for grazing or as a refuge. It is a place of desolation but also of divine encounter and testing. For David, the wilderness of Engedi is both a harsh environment and a strategic haven.
* **Engedi (Hebrew, עֵין גֶּדִי, _Ein Gedi'_):** Meaning "spring of the kid" or "fountain of the goat," this name itself points to the unique characteristic of this wilderness area – the presence of vital water sources. This detail is crucial, as it explains how David and his large company could survive in such an otherwise inhospitable region, making it a viable hiding place.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines":** This opening clause re-establishes the narrative's central tension. Saul's brief engagement with the Philistines, which momentarily relieved David of the immediate threat (1 Samuel 23:27-28), is now over. His return signifies the resumption of his primary, destructive agenda: the pursuit of David. It highlights Saul's misplaced priorities, valuing personal vendetta over national security.
* **"that it was told him, saying, Behold, David [is] in the wilderness of Engedi.":** This second clause reveals the immediate catalyst for Saul's renewed pursuit. The intelligence network, likely composed of Ziphites or other informants loyal to Saul, quickly provides the king with David's precise location. The phrase "Behold, David [is]" conveys the immediacy and certainty of the report, leaving no doubt about David's presence in this specific, strategic hiding place. This information directly precipitates the dramatic events of the chapter.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the mention of David's location in the wilderness of Engedi directly anticipates the intense and morally charged encounter that will unfold in the cave (1 Samuel 24:3-7). The rugged terrain and caves of Engedi are not just a setting but become integral to the plot, providing the very stage for David's act of mercy. There is also a subtle **Irony** in Saul's actions; as king, his primary duty is to protect Israel from external threats like the Philistines, yet his personal vendetta against David takes precedence, diverting his resources and attention. This highlights his spiritual and moral decline. Furthermore, the "wilderness of Engedi" functions as **Symbolism**. It is a place of both extreme hardship and unexpected provision, representing the trials David endures while simultaneously serving as a divinely provided refuge. This duality mirrors David's spiritual journey, where God's protection is often most evident in the midst of desolation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, by highlighting Saul's relentless pursuit and David's precarious refuge, speaks to profound theological truths about divine election, human jealousy, and God's sovereign protection. It underscores that even when God's anointed faces intense persecution and appears to be at his weakest, God remains faithful to His promises, providing unexpected havens and orchestrating events for His purposes. David's experience in the wilderness of Engedi is a testament to God's ability to sustain His people in the most challenging environments, transforming places of desolation into sites of divine encounter and preservation. This narrative also serves as a stark warning about the destructive power of unchecked envy and paranoia, which can consume an individual and lead them to act contrary to God's will and their own responsibilities.

* [Psalm 57:1](/psalms/57-1 "Psalm 57:1 - David's Prayer in the Cave")
* [Psalm 142:1](/psalms/142-1 "Psalm 142:1 - David's Prayer in the Cave")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of David in the wilderness of Engedi, relentlessly pursued by Saul, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that seasons of intense pressure, unjust persecution, or feeling "on the run" are often part of God's refining process. Like David, we may find ourselves in "wilderness" experiences – periods of isolation, hardship, or vulnerability – where our resources seem scarce and threats abound. Yet, it is precisely in these desolate places that God often reveals His presence most powerfully, providing unexpected springs of refreshment and strategic "caves" of refuge. This verse challenges us to cultivate resilience and unwavering trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances appear bleak or when we are targeted by the jealousy or malice of others. It also serves as a potent warning against allowing envy and insecurity to fester in our hearts, as they can lead to destructive behaviors that harm ourselves and those around us, diverting us from our true callings, much as Saul's obsession with David consumed his kingship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you respond when you feel unjustly pursued or targeted, whether by individuals or difficult circumstances?**
* **In what "wilderness" seasons of your life have you experienced God's unexpected provision or protection?**
* **What lessons can David's response to Saul's relentless pursuit teach us about handling conflict and respecting authority, even flawed authority?**
* **How can we guard our hearts against the destructive power of envy and paranoia, as exemplified by Saul?**

### FAQ
**Why was Saul so obsessed with pursuing David, even after a Philistine threat?**

Answer: Saul's obsession with David stemmed from a deep-seated jealousy, paranoia, and a sense of insecurity regarding his kingship. After David's victory over Goliath and his subsequent popularity, Saul became increasingly envious, fearing that David would usurp his throne ([1 Samuel 18:8-9](/1_samuel/18-8 "1 Samuel 18:8-9 - Saul's Jealousy of David")). This jealousy was compounded by the knowledge that God's favor had departed from him and was now with David ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit of the Lord Departs from Saul")). For Saul, eliminating David became a personal vendetta that overshadowed his responsibilities as king, even to the point of diverting his focus from national security threats like the Philistines. His return from fighting the Philistines immediately to hunting David underscores how consumed he was by this irrational fear and hatred.

**What is the significance of the "wilderness of Engedi" as David's hiding place?**

Answer: The "wilderness of Engedi" was highly significant due to its unique geographical features. Located on the western shore of the Dead Sea, it was characterized by extremely rugged, mountainous terrain, deep ravines, and numerous caves. This made it an ideal natural fortress and hiding place for fugitives like David and his men, providing strategic cover from Saul's forces. Despite its desolate appearance, Engedi was also known for its natural springs and oases (as its name, "spring of the kid," suggests), which provided essential water and vegetation, allowing for survival in an otherwise harsh environment. The presence of these vital resources meant David and his 600 men could sustain themselves while remaining hidden. Theologically, the wilderness often serves as a place of testing, refuge, and divine encounter in biblical narratives, and Engedi fits this pattern, becoming the stage for David's demonstration of mercy towards Saul.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The relentless pursuit of David by Saul in 1 Samuel 24:1, and David's subsequent righteous response, profoundly foreshadows the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. David, the anointed king, is unjustly pursued and rejected by the reigning authority, forced into the wilderness, a place of hardship and refuge. This mirrors Christ, the true Anointed One, who was "despised and rejected by men" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Christ's Suffering")) and pursued by the religious and political authorities of His day, ultimately leading to His crucifixion. Just as David found refuge and sustenance in the wilderness of Engedi, Jesus Himself endured a period of testing in the wilderness, relying on God's provision and resisting temptation ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness")). More significantly, David's refusal to harm Saul, God's anointed, despite having the opportunity, prefigures Christ's perfect example of suffering righteously and not retaliating against His persecutors ([1 Peter 2:21-23](/1_peter/2-21 "1 Peter 2:21-23 - Christ's Example of Suffering Righteously")). Jesus, though innocent, allowed Himself to be unjustly condemned and crucified, not for His own sin, but to atone for ours, demonstrating ultimate mercy and submission to His Father's will. David's experience in Engedi, therefore, serves as a type of Christ's suffering, His reliance on God in adversity, and His ultimate triumph through humility and self-sacrifice, providing a model for how the true King responds to unjust persecution and fulfills God's redemptive plan.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 23:28

Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.

1 Samuel 23:29

And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.

Ezekiel 22:9

In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness.

Proverbs 25:5

Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Hosea 7:3

They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.

1 Samuel 23:19

¶ Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which [is] on the south of Jeshimon?

Proverbs 29:12

¶ If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.