1 Samuel 23:27

27 Just then a messenger came to Saul. He said, "Come quickly! The Philistines are attacking the land."

1 Samuel 23:27 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 23:27

But there came a messenger unto Saul
From his court, by order of his council there; though the Jews ^F20 say it was an angel from heaven; but be it which it will, it was certainly the providence of God that directed this affair, that a messenger should come to Saul just at that very time that David was like to fall into his hands:

saying, haste thee, and come, for the Philistines have invaded the
land;
were come into it, and spread themselves in it, as the word signifies, which expresses their numbers they had poured in, the force they came with, and the possessions they had already got; perhaps they had taken the advantage of Saul's departure in quest of David, to penetrate into the tribe of Benjamin, where his patrimony, residence, and court were, and which were liable to fall into their hands; and therefore his presence was immediately required, and haste was necessary.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 Midrash apud Yalkut in loc.

1 Samuel 23:27 In-Context

25 Saul and his men started out to look for David. David was told about it. So he went down to a rock in the Desert of Maon to hide. Saul heard he was there. So he went into the Desert of Maon to chase David.

26 Saul was going along one side of the mountain. David and his men were on the other side. They were hurrying to get away from Saul. Saul and his army were closing in on David and his men. They were about to capture them.

27 Just then a messenger came to Saul. He said, "Come quickly! The Philistines are attacking the land."

28 So Saul stopped chasing David. He went to fight against the Philistines. That's why they call that place Sela Hammahlekoth.

29 David left that place. He went and lived in places of safety near En Gedi.