1 Samuel 23:28
◄  1 Samuel 23:28  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth.

New Living Translation (©2007)
So Saul quit chasing David and returned to fight the Philistines. Ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the Rock of Escape.

English Standard Version (©2001)
So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to engage the Philistines. Therefore, that place was named the Rock of Separation.

International Standard Version (©2012)
So Saul turned around from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines. Therefore, they call that place the Rock of Escape.

NET Bible (©2006)
So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines. Therefore that place is called Sela Hammahlekoth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Saul gave up pursuing David and went to fight the Philistines. So that place was called Slippery Rock.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Therefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.

American King James Version
Why Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.

American Standard Version
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore Saul returned, leaving the pursuit of David, and went to meet the Philistines. For this cause they called that place, the Rock of division.

Darby Bible Translation
And Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.

English Revised Version
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammah-lekoth.

World English Bible
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela Hammahlekoth.

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul turneth back from pursuing after David, and goeth to meet the Philistines, therefore they have called that place 'The Rock of Divisions.'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

23:19-29 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 promise shall fail, he will commission Philistines to effect our escape, at the very moment when our case appears most desperate. God requires entire dependence on him, If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established, Isa 7:9.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Therefore Saul returned from pursuing after David,.... Stopped short at once, as soon as ever he received the message:

and went against the Philistines; to stop them in their progress, and drive them out of his country:

therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth, which signifies the rock of divisions. David and his men, very probably, gave it this name, not only because it divided between Saul and his men, and David and his men, when they were one on one side of it, and the other on the other side of it; but because Saul was, by the providence of God, divided and separated from David here, whereby he escaped falling into his hands. The Targum is,"therefore they called that place the rock of division, the place where the heart of the king was divided to go here and there:''he was divided in his own mind, and at a loss what to do; he was in two minds, as Jarchi says, and did not know which to follow, whether to return and deliver his country from the hands of the Philistines, or to pursue and take David; and others represent the soldiers of Saul as divided, some saying that since the son of Jesse was just falling into their hands, they should not leave him; others, that the war of Israel should be regarded before him, who might be found at any time (u).

(u) Midrash apud Yalkut in loc.

1 Samuel 23:28 Parallel Commentaries

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Saul Pursues David
…27But there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Haste you, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. 28Why Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. 29And David went up from there, and dwelled in strong holds at Engedi.

1 Samuel 23:27 a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land."
1 Samuel 23:29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.
1 Samuel 24:1 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the Desert of En Gedi."