1 Samuel 23:27

27 And a messenger hath come in unto Saul, saying, `Haste, and come, for the Philistines have pushed against 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 And Saul and his men go to seek, and they declare to David, and he goeth down the rock, and abideth in the wilderness of Maon; and Saul heareth, and pursueth after David [to] the wilderness of Maon.

26 And Saul goeth on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain, and David is hastened to go from the face of Saul, and Saul and his men are compassing David and his men, to catch them.

27 And a messenger hath come in unto Saul, saying, `Haste, and come, for the Philistines have pushed against the land.'

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

29 And David goeth up thence, and abideth in fortresses [at] En-gedi.