1 Samuel 23

Keilah was near Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1). It was at the western edge of Judah, near the Philistine border (see Joshua 15:44; Nehemiah 3:17–18).

Because Saul received reports from informants, he was able to continue pursuing David (1 Samuel 23:7,13). David also had informants, which helped him stay ahead of Saul (1 Samuel 23:1, 9, 15, 25). David’s greatest advantage was that he could seek guidance and help from God, which Saul did not have (1 Samuel 23:2, 4, 12).

David asked the Lord for guidance, either by praying directly or by using the ephod (a priestly garment used to seek God’s will), as described in 1 Samuel 23:6, 9; 2 Samuel 2:1; and 2 Samuel 5:23–24. God’s answers were a sign of his blessing and protection (compare 1 Samuel 28:6).

the ephod: Saul killed 85 priests who wore ephods (1 Samuel 22:18; see study note on 1 Samuel 2:18). However, the priest who escaped had the high priest's ephod, which held the Urim and Thummim (sacred objects used for decision-making).

God has delivered him into my hand: This statement is not true. David later explains that Saul’s claim is wrong (see 1 Samuel 23:14).

• The wilderness strongholds were natural rock formations that offered shelter.

• Ziph was about 16 kilometers (10 miles) southeast of Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1).

Jonathan encouraged David because he knew God had chosen David to be king.

you will be king … I will be your second-in-command (literally second to you): Jonathan accepted that God chose David as king and gave up his own ambitions to be king. Jonathan never held an official role in David’s court and died in battle with his father (1 Samuel 31:2).

• a covenant: See 1 Samuel 18:3–4; 20:12–17.

• Jonathan went home: This was likely the last time David and Jonathan saw each other.

• Hakilah was a hill in the wilderness region of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:14).

• Jeshimon is sometimes translated as “wasteland” rather than as a place name. Here, it refers to a specific wasteland north of the Dead Sea, on both banks of the Jordan River (see Numbers 21:20).

Keilah (1 Samuel 23:12) and Ziph (23:14; Psalm 54:1) were located in Judah, but neither one provided sanctuary for David, a native of Judah. David’s rise to power was not the result of his own tribe’s loyalty but because of the will of God.

• Maon was about 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) directly south of the wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:14), about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of Hebron.

• The Arabah Valley is a deep rift stretching from above the Sea of Galilee down both sides of the Jordan River to the Dead Sea.

Sela-hammahlekoth: The Hebrew name is often translated "Rock of Escape." People in ancient Israel often gave place names to remember their thanks to God (for example, Genesis 22:14; 28:19; 32:30). The exact rock formation that received this name is unknown.

David traveled eastward from the area of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:14). He found safety in the strongholds of En-gedi. These rocky highlands were on the western shore of the Dead Sea. There was an oasis in this region, making it an ideal place to find water and food.