Introduction to 1 Samuel Chapter 23
This chapter gives an account of David's relieving Keilah, when it had like to have fallen into the hands of the Philistines, 1 Samuel 23:1; and of Saul's design to surprise him there, which David having notice of, and inquiring of the Lord, departed from thence; which when Saul heard of, he forbore to come forth, 1 Samuel 23:7; and of David's being in the wilderness of Ziph, where, in a wood there, he had an interview with Jonathan, 1 Samuel 23:14; and of the Ziphites offering to deliver him up to Saul, for which he commends them, and gives them instructions how they should behave to him in that affair, 1 Samuel 23:19; and of his seeking him in the wilderness of Maon, where David and his men were in great danger of being taken; which was prevented by the news of the Philistines invading the land coming to Saul just at the nick of time, 1 Samuel 23:24.