Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, August 13th, 2025
the Week of Proper 14 / Ordinary 19
the Week of Proper 14 / Ordinary 19
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Read the Bible
Good News Translation
1 Samuel 23:28
So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why that place is called Separation Hill.
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- BridgewayEncyclopedias:
- InternationalParallel Translations
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.
So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to engage the Philistines. Therefore, that place was named the Rock of Separation.
Hebrew Names Version
So Sha'ul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Pelishtim: therefore they called that place Sela-Hammachlekot.
So Sha'ul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Pelishtim: therefore they called that place Sela-Hammachlekot.
King James Version
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.
Lexham English Bible
So Saul returned from pursuing David, and he went to confront the Philistines. Therefore, they called that place the Rock of Division.
So Saul returned from pursuing David, and he went to confront the Philistines. Therefore, they called that place the Rock of Division.
English Standard Version
So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.
So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.
New Century Version
So Saul stopped chasing David and went to challenge the Philistines. That is why people call this place Rock of Parting.
So Saul stopped chasing David and went to challenge the Philistines. That is why people call this place Rock of Parting.
New English Translation
So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines. Therefore that place is called Sela Hammahlekoth.
So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines. Therefore that place is called Sela Hammahlekoth.
Amplified Bible
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore 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.
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to confront the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Division.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Wherefore Saul returned fro pursuing Dauid, & went against the Philistims. Therefore they called that place, Sela-hammahlekoth.
Wherefore Saul returned fro pursuing Dauid, & went against the Philistims. Therefore they called that place, Sela-hammahlekoth.
Legacy Standard Bible
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.
Contemporary English Version
Saul stopped going after David and went back to fight the Philistines. That's why the place is called "Escape Rock."
Saul stopped going after David and went back to fight the Philistines. That's why the place is called "Escape Rock."
Complete Jewish Bible
So Sha'ul stopped chasing David and went to fight the P'lishtim. Therefore they called that place Sela-Hamachlekot [rock of divisions].
So Sha'ul stopped chasing David and went to fight the P'lishtim. Therefore they called that place Sela-Hamachlekot [rock of divisions].
Darby Translation
And Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
And Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
Easy-to-Read Version
So Saul stopped chasing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why people call this place "Slippery Rock."
So Saul stopped chasing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why people call this place "Slippery Rock."
George Lamsa Translation
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that land the Division of Sinar.
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that land the Division of Sinar.
Literal Translation
And Saul turned back from pursuing David, and went to meet the Philistines. On account of this they have called that place, The Rock of the Division.
And Saul turned back from pursuing David, and went to meet the Philistines. On account of this they have called that place, The Rock of the Division.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The Saul turned him from chacynge of Dauid, and wente agaynst the Philstynes. Therfore is ye place called Sela Mahelkoth.
The Saul turned him from chacynge of Dauid, and wente agaynst the Philstynes. Therfore is ye place called Sela Mahelkoth.
American Standard Version
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
Bible in Basic English
So turning back from going after David, Saul went against the Philistines: so that place was named Sela-hammah-lekoth.
So turning back from going after David, Saul went against the Philistines: so that place was named Sela-hammah-lekoth.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Wherfore Saul returned from persecuting Dauid, and went against the Philistines: And therfore they called that place, Sela Hamnahlekoth.
Wherfore Saul returned from persecuting Dauid, and went against the Philistines: And therfore they called that place, Sela Hamnahlekoth.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
King James Version (1611)
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after Dauid, & went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-Hammahlekoth.
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after Dauid, & went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-Hammahlekoth.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
So Saul returned from following after David, and went to meet the Philistines: therefore that place was called The divided Rock.
So Saul returned from following after David, and went to meet the Philistines: therefore that place was called The divided Rock.
English Revised Version
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela–hammahlekoth.
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela–hammahlekoth.
Berean Standard Bible
So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called the Rock of Escape.
So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called the Rock of Escape.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor Saul turnede ayen, and ceesside to pursue Dauid; and yede ayens the comyng of Filisteis. For this thing thei clepen that place the Stoon Departynge.
Therfor Saul turnede ayen, and ceesside to pursue Dauid; and yede ayens the comyng of Filisteis. For this thing thei clepen that place the Stoon Departynge.
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.'
And Saul turneth back from pursuing after David, and goeth to meet the Philistines, therefore they have called that place `The Rock of Divisions.'
Update Bible Version
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammah-lekoth.
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 after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
New King James Version
Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape. [fn]
Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape. [fn]
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.
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.
New Life Bible
So Saul returned from going after David, and went against the Philistines. So they called that place the Rock of Getting Away.
So Saul returned from going after David, and went against the Philistines. So they called that place the Rock of Getting Away.
New Revised Standard
So Saul stopped pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.
So Saul stopped pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then returned Saul from pursuing David, and departed to meet the Philistines, - for which cause, they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth "the Cliff of Separation".
Then returned Saul from pursuing David, and departed to meet the Philistines, - for which cause, they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth "the Cliff of Separation".
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore Saul returned, leaving the pursuit of David, and went to meet the Philistines. For this cause they called that place the rock of division.
Wherefore Saul returned, leaving the pursuit of David, and went to meet the Philistines. For this cause they called that place the rock of division.
Revised Standard Version
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape.
THE MESSAGE
So Saul called off his pursuit of David and went back to deal with the Philistines. That's how that place got the name Narrow Escape. David left there and camped out in the caves and canyons of En Gedi.
So Saul called off his pursuit of David and went back to deal with the Philistines. That's how that place got the name Narrow Escape. David left there and camped out in the caves and canyons of En Gedi.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.
So Saul returned from pursuing David and went to meet the Philistines; therefore they called that place the Rock of Escape.
Contextual Overview
19 Some people from Ziph went to Saul at Gibeah and said, "David is hiding out in our territory at Horesh on Mount Hachilah, in the southern part of the Judean wilderness. 20 We know, Your Majesty, how much you want to capture him; so come to our territory, and we will make sure that you catch him." 21 Saul answered, "May the Lord bless you for being so kind to me! 22 Go and make sure once more; find out for certain where he is and who has seen him there. I hear that he is very cunning. 23 Find out exactly the places where he hides, and be sure to bring back a report to me right away. Then I will go with you, and if he is still in the region, I will hunt him down, even if I have to search the whole land of Judah." 24 So they left and returned to Ziph ahead of Saul. David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in a desolate valley in the southern part of the Judean wilderness. 25 Saul and his men set out to look for David, but he heard about it and went to a rocky hill in the wilderness of Maon and stayed there. When Saul heard about this, he went after David. 26 Saul and his men were on one side of the hill, separated from David and his men, who were on the other side. They were hurrying to get away from Saul and his men, who were closing in on them and were about to capture them. 27 Just then a messenger arrived and said to Saul, "Come back at once! The Philistines are invading the country!" 28 So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why that place is called Separation Hill.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Selahammahlekoth: that is, the rock of divisions, Because, says the Targum, "the heart of the king was divided to go hither and thither." Here Saul was obliged to separate himself from David, in order to go and oppose the invading Philistines; which deliverance of David was of such a nature as made the Divine interposition fully visible. 1 Samuel 23:28
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 23:25 - into a rock 1 Samuel 24:1 - when Saul Isaiah 37:9 - he heard
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Therefore Saul returned from pursuing after David,.... Stopped short at once, as soon as ever he received the message:
and went against the Philistines; to stop them in their progress, and drive them out of his country:
therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth, which signifies the rock of divisions. David and his men, very probably, gave it this name, not only because it divided between Saul and his men, and David and his men, when they were one on one side of it, and the other on the other side of it; but because Saul was, by the providence of God, divided and separated from David here, whereby he escaped falling into his hands. The Targum is,
"therefore they called that place the rock of division, the place where the heart of the king was divided to go here and there:''
he was divided in his own mind, and at a loss what to do; he was in two minds, as Jarchi says, and did not know which to follow, whether to return and deliver his country from the hands of the Philistines, or to pursue and take David; and others represent the soldiers of Saul as divided, some saying that since the son of Jesse was just falling into their hands, they should not leave him; others, that the war of Israel should be regarded before him, who might be found at any time u.
u Midrash apud Yalkut in loc.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Sela-hammahlekoth - See the margin. (Identified by Conder with a narrow and impassable gorge between El Kolah and Maon, called Malaky).
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 1 Samuel 23:28. They called that place Sela-hammah-lekoth. — That is, the rock of divisions; because, says the Targum, the heart of the king was divided to go hither and thither. Here Saul was obliged to separate himself from David, in order to go and oppose the invading Philistines.
