Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth. New Living Translation So Saul quit chasing David and returned to fight the Philistines. Ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the Rock of Escape. English Standard Version So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. Berean Standard Bible So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth. King James Bible Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. New King James Version Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape. New American Standard Bible So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Division. NASB 1995 So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape. NASB 1977 So Saul returned from pursuing David, and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape. Legacy Standard Bible So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape. Amplified Bible So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape. Christian Standard Bible So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to engage the Philistines. Therefore, that place was named the Rock of Separation. Holman Christian Standard Bible So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to engage the Philistines. Therefore, that place was named the Rock of Separation. American Standard Version So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth. Contemporary English Version Saul stopped going after David and went back to fight the Philistines. That's why the place is called "Escape Rock." English Revised Version So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth. GOD'S WORD® Translation Saul gave up pursuing David and went to fight the Philistines. So that place was called Slippery Rock. Good News Translation So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why that place is called Separation Hill. International Standard Version So Saul turned around from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines. Therefore, they call that place the Rock of Escape. Majority Standard Bible So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth. NET Bible So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines. Therefore that place is called Sela Hammahlekoth. New Heart English Bible So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines. Therefore they called that place Rock of Divisions. Webster's Bible Translation Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammah-lekoth. World English Bible So Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines. Therefore they called that place Sela Hammahlekoth. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Saul turns back from pursuing after David, and goes to meet the Philistines, therefore they have called that place “The Rock of Divisions.” Young's Literal Translation And Saul turneth back from pursuing after David, and goeth to meet the Philistines, therefore they have called that place 'The Rock of Divisions.' Smith's Literal Translation And Saul will turn back from pursuing after David, and he will go to meet the rovers: for this they called that place the Rock of Escapes. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWherefore Saul returned, leaving the pursuit of David, and went to meet the Philistines. For this cause they called that place, the Rock of division. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, Saul turned back, ceasing in the pursuit of David, and he traveled to meet the Philistines. For this reason, they called that place, the Rock of Division. New American Bible Saul interrupted his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. This is how that place came to be called the Rock of Divisions. New Revised Standard Version So Saul stopped pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWherefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that land the Division of Sinar. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Shaul returned from after David, and he went on to meet the Philistines, because of this, they called that land Senar Palgutha OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth. Brenton Septuagint Translation So Saul returned from following after David, and went to meet the Philistines: therefore that place was called The divided Rock. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Saul Pursues David…27Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” 28So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth. 29And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En-gedi.… Cross References Psalm 18:17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me. Psalm 54:3-7 For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah / Surely God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul. / He will reward my enemies with evil. In Your faithfulness, destroy them. ... Psalm 124:7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the net is torn, and we have slipped away. 2 Samuel 22:1 And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 Samuel 5:17-25 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ... 2 Kings 6:8-12 Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” / Then the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful not to pass by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” / So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. ... 2 Kings 19:9 Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: “Look, he has set out to fight against you.” So Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, Psalm 31:8 You have not delivered me to the enemy; You have set my feet in the open. Psalm 59:1-4 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. / Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed. / See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD. ... Psalm 142:6 Listen to my cry, for I am brought quite low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for they are too strong for me. Psalm 143:9 Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge. Matthew 2:13 When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” Matthew 4:12 When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee. Matthew 10:23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Luke 4:29-30 They got up, drove Him out of the town, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw Him over the cliff. / But Jesus passed through the crowd and went on His way. Treasury of Scripture Why Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. Sela-hammahlekoth. Jump to Previous David Divisions Escape Meet Philistines Pursuing Pursuit Rock Saul Sela Turneth Turning WhereforeJump to Next David Divisions Escape Meet Philistines Pursuing Pursuit Rock Saul Sela Turneth Turning Wherefore1 Samuel 23 1. David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah7. God showing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites, 13. he escapes from Keilah 14. In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him 19. The Ziphites discover him to Saul 25. At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines 29. He dwells at En Gedi So Saul broke off his pursuit of David This phrase indicates a pivotal moment in the narrative where Saul, who has been relentlessly pursuing David, is forced to abandon his chase. Saul's pursuit of David is a significant theme in 1 Samuel, highlighting the tension between the anointed king and the one chosen by God to succeed him. This pursuit reflects Saul's jealousy and fear of losing his throne, as seen in earlier chapters. Theologically, this moment can be seen as God's providential protection over David, who is destined to become king. It also illustrates the futility of opposing God's will, as Saul's efforts are continually thwarted. and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, who was pursuing David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. 2. David The anointed future king of Israel, who was fleeing from Saul's attempts to kill him. 3. Philistines A perennial enemy of Israel, whose threat diverted Saul's attention from pursuing David. 4. Rock of Escape The location where David found refuge from Saul's pursuit, symbolizing God's deliverance. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in DeliveranceJust as God intervened to protect David by redirecting Saul, He is sovereign over our circumstances and can provide unexpected deliverance. Trust in God's Timing David's experience teaches us to trust in God's timing and provision, even when pursued by adversities. Naming and Remembering God's Faithfulness The naming of the Rock of Escape serves as a reminder to commemorate and remember God's faithfulness in our lives. Divine Distractions Sometimes God uses external circumstances, like the Philistine threat, to divert our enemies and protect us. Spiritual Refuge Just as David found physical refuge, we are called to seek spiritual refuge in God, our Rock and Fortress.(28) Sela-hammahlekoth.--Literally, as in the margin of our Bibles, the rock (or, still better, the cliff) of divisions. Other scholars, with greater reason, prefer the derivation from a Hebrew word signifying to be smooth--the cliff of smoothness: that is, of slipping away or escaping. Ewald rather fancifully interprets the term as the "Cliff of Destiny or of Fate." Hebrew So Saulשָׁא֗וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites broke off וַיָּ֣שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again his pursuit מִרְדֹף֙ (mir·ḏōp̄) Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute of David דָוִ֔ד (ḏā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse and went וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk to meet לִקְרַ֣את (liq·raṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7122: To encounter, befall the Philistines. פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים (pə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia That is why עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against that הַה֔וּא (ha·hū) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are place לַמָּק֣וֹם (lam·mā·qō·wm) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition is called קָֽרְאוּ֙ (qā·rə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read the Rock of Escape. הַֽמַּחְלְקֽוֹת׃ (ham·maḥ·lə·qō·wṯ) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5555: Sela-ham-Machlekoth Links 1 Samuel 23:28 NIV1 Samuel 23:28 NLT 1 Samuel 23:28 ESV 1 Samuel 23:28 NASB 1 Samuel 23:28 KJV 1 Samuel 23:28 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 23:28 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 23:28 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 23:28 French Bible 1 Samuel 23:28 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 23:28 So Saul returned from pursuing after David (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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