After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines
This phrase indicates a period of ongoing conflict between Israel and the Philistines, a common theme throughout the books of Samuel. The Philistines were a significant threat to Israel during Saul's reign, often engaging in battles with the Israelites. Saul's return from pursuing them suggests a temporary reprieve in hostilities, allowing him to focus on internal matters, particularly his pursuit of David. This pursuit of the Philistines highlights Saul's role as king and military leader, tasked with defending Israel from its enemies. The Philistines' presence in the land is a reminder of the incomplete conquest of Canaan, as they were one of the groups not fully driven out by the Israelites.

he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.”
The wilderness of En-gedi is a significant geographical location, known for its rugged terrain and natural springs, providing a strategic hideout for David. En-gedi, meaning "spring of the young goat," is located near the Dead Sea, offering a place of refuge and sustenance in an otherwise arid region. This area is historically and archaeologically recognized for its caves and strongholds, making it an ideal location for David to evade Saul's pursuit. The mention of David being in En-gedi underscores his status as a fugitive, constantly on the run from Saul's attempts to capture him. This pursuit is a pivotal part of David's journey, shaping his character and reliance on God. The wilderness experience is a common biblical motif, often associated with testing and preparation, as seen in the lives of Moses and Jesus. David's time in En-gedi can be seen as a period of divine preparation for his future role as king.

1. Saul
The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. At this point in the account, Saul is pursuing David, whom he sees as a threat to his throne.

2. David
The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel as a young shepherd. He is on the run from Saul, who is seeking to kill him.

3. Philistines
A recurring enemy of Israel, often at war with them. Saul had been pursuing them before turning his attention back to David.

4. Wilderness of En Gedi
A rugged, mountainous area near the Dead Sea, known for its caves and springs. It serves as a refuge for David and his men.

5. Pursuit
The ongoing conflict between Saul and David, characterized by Saul's relentless pursuit to capture and kill David.God's Sovereignty in Trials
David's situation reminds us that God is in control, even when we face relentless opposition. Trust in His timing and protection.

Responding to Persecution
David's respect for Saul, despite being pursued, exemplifies a godly response to persecution. We are called to love and pray for our enemies.

Seeking Refuge in God
Just as David found physical refuge in En Gedi, we are encouraged to seek spiritual refuge in God during our trials.

The Importance of Discernment
David's ability to discern God's will in a challenging situation teaches us to seek God's guidance in our decisions.

Faithfulness in Adversity
David's faithfulness to God, even when unjustly pursued, challenges us to remain faithful in our own adversities.(1) When Saul was returned.--How intent Saul was on his bloody purpose with regard to his supposed rival is clear, for no sooner was the Philistine raid repulsed than with sleepless animosity he at once set forth with a force, as the next verse relates, of considerable magnitude to hunt down his foe. Saul was encouraged in this fresh enterprise by the offer of the Ziphites (see preceding 1Sam 1Samuel 24:19-22). These bitter enemies of David, in the interval of the Philistine war--accustomed to the passes and mountains of the barren region of the south of Canaan--complying with the king's request (1Samuel 23:23), had taken careful knowledge of the lurking-places where David was hiding, and were now prepared to act as guides to the well-equipped and disciplined forces under Saul in its marches and counter-marches in the deserts bordering on the south of Judah.

En-gedi.--David and his band were now wandering along a lofty plateau, upon the tops of cliffs some 2,000 feet above the Dead Sea. En-gedi--still known as Ain-jedy, the Fountain of the Kid--is a beautiful oasis, in the barren wilderness to the south of Judah. Its original name was Hazazon Tamar--"The Palm Wood" (see 2Chronicles 20:2)--and was once an ancient settlement of the Amorites (see Genesis 14:7). It has in all ages been a favourite spot with the possessors of the land. King Solomon appears to have paid peculiar attention to this garden of the wilderness. He planted the hills round it with vines; from the fountain flows a warm limpid stream, delicious to the taste. The remains of ancient gardens tell us that in the golden days of the kings En-gedi was probably a favourite resort of the wealthy citizen of Jerusalem. Solpmon, in his "Song of Songs," writes of it in a strain which shows how he loved it, when he compares his beloved "to a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi."--Song of Solomon 1:14. Its present condition, as described by modern travellers, more nearly resembles the En-gedi when Saul hunted David among the rocks and caverns than the En-gedi the resort of the Jerusalem citizens, beautiful with gardens and vines of Solomon.--Conder: Tent Life. Dean Stanley and others have described the spot with great care, and left us a vivid picture of the scene. They tell us of the long and weary journey-across the desolate valleys and precipitous barren heights, and of the enchanting scene which lay before them when once Ain-jedy was reached. They describe in flowing language the plentiful and rich vegetation, the trees and fruits, the ruins of the ancient gardens, and remains of the beautiful groves, still inhabited by a multitude of singing birds. In the limestone cliffs are numerous caves, some of them very large and deep, well calculated to be the temporary shelter of large bodies of men. . . .

Verse 1. - The wilderness of En-gedi. Finding no safety on the western side of the desert of Judah, where the Ziphites were ever watching his movements, David now boldly crossed this arid waste, and sought shelter in the remarkable oasis of En-gedi, on the shore of the Dead Sea. The word may signify either the Fountain of Luck or the Kid's Spring, the latter being the meaning of the name Ain-Jadi, which it still bears. In 2 Chronicles 20:2 it is identified with Hazazon-Tamar, the Palm Wood, an ancient seat of the Amorites, and evidently famous from of old for its fertility (Genesis 14:7). Conder ('Tent Work,' 2:126) describes the country over which David would have to travel as almost impassable, so that in four and a half hours of hard riding be and his party advanced only six miles, so deep were the valleys which they were obliged to cross. From a lofty peak on their way the view was most extraordinary. On every side were other ridges, equally white, steep, and narrow; their sides seamed by innumerable torrent beds, their summits sharp and rugged in outline. Not a tree was visible, and the whole region was like the dry basin of a former sea, scoured by the rains, and washed down in places to the hard foundation of metamorphic limestone which underlies the whole district. But the desert once crossed, "there is no scene," he says, "more vividly impressed on my memory than that of this magnificently rocky and savage pass, and the view from the spring below." He had encamped on a plateau upon the top of the cliffs, which rise to a height of 2000 feet above the Dead Sea; and 1340 feet below him the warm spring of En-gedi, 83° F., rises from under a great boulder, and dashing down the rest of the descent, flows across the plate at the foot of the cliffs, which is about half a mile square. All around are the ruins of ancient gardens and thickets, among which he saw the beautiful black grackles with gold-tipped wings, bulbuls, and thrushes. Solomon seems to have delighted in the spot, and to have covered the hills with vines; for he compares his beloved to a "cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi" (Song of Solomon 1:14). Neither palm nor vine is to be found there now, but there is still a rich vegetation, and groves of trees. According to Thomson ('The Land and the Book,' p. 602) the sides of the ravines leading to En-gedi are full of natural and artificial caves and sepulchres.

Parallel Commentaries ...


After
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Saul
שָׁא֔וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

had returned
שָׁ֣ב (šāḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from pursuing
מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י (mê·’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition-m
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the Philistines,
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים (pə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

he was told,
וַיַּגִּ֤דוּ (way·yag·gi·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

“David
דָוִ֔ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

is in the wilderness
בְּמִדְבַּ֖ר (bə·miḏ·bar)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

of
עֵ֥ין (‘ên)
0
Strong's Hebrew

En-gedi.”
גֶּֽדִי׃ (ge·ḏî)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5872: Engedi -- 'spring of a kid', a place on west shore of the Dead Sea


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OT History: 1 Samuel 24:1 It happened when Saul was returned (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)