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.