David Delivers Keila

1 Samuel 23

David inquires of the Lord and rescues the city of Keila from Philistine raiders, but when Saul marches to besiege him there he inquires again and learns the townsmen would betray him, so he escapes into the wilderness. Jonathan visits David to strengthen him in the Lord, and though the Ziphites betray David's hiding place to Saul, a sudden Philistine invasion forces Saul to break off his pursuit.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW when it was told David, saying, Behold the Philistines are making war on Keila: They are ravaging, and destroying the threshing floors,

BrentonAnd it was told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines war in Keila, and they rob, they trample on the threshing-floors.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Δαυὶδ, λέγοντες, ἰδοὺ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι πολεμοῦσιν ἐν τῇ Κεϊλὰ, καὶ αὐτοὶ διαρπάζουσι, καταπατοῦσι τοὺς ἅλω.

KJVThen they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.

JPSAnd they told David, saying: ‘Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.’

ThomsonDavid inquired of the Lord saying, Shall I go and smite the Philistines? And the Lord said, Go, and thou shalt make a slaughter among the Philistines and save Keila.

BrentonAnd David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said, Go, and thou shalt smite these Philistines, and shalt save Keila.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπηρώτησε Δαυὶδ διὰ τοῦ Κυρίου, λέγων, εἰ πορευθῶ, καὶ πατάξω τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους τούτους; καὶ εἶπε Κύριος, πορεύου, καὶ πατάξεις ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις τούτοις, καὶ σώσεις τὴν Κεϊλά.

KJVTherefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.

JPSTherefore David inquired of the LORD, saying: ‘Shall I go and smite these Philistines?’ And the LORD said unto David: ‘Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.’

ThomsonBut David’s men said to him, Behold we are in terror here in Judea; and how must it be if we go to Keila? Shall we go to be a prey to the Philistines?

BrentonAnd the men of David said to him, Behold, we are afraid here in Judea; and how shall it be if we go to Keila? shall we go after the spoils of the Philistines?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπον οἱ ἄνδρες τοῦ Δαυὶδ πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ἐνταῦθα ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ φοβούμεθα, καὶ πῶς ἔσται ἐὰν πορευθῶμεν εἰς Κεϊλὰ, εἰς τὰ σκῦλα τῶν ἀλλοφύλων εἰσπορευσόμεθα;

KJVAnd David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?

JPSAnd David’s men said unto him: ‘Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?’

ThomsonThen David inquired again of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, and said to him, Arise and go down to Keila; for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hands.

BrentonAnd David enquired yet again of the Lord; and the Lord answered him, and said to him, Arise and go down to Keila, for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hands.

GreekΚαὶ προσέθετο Δαυὶδ ἔτι ἐπερωτῆσαι διὰ τοῦ Κυρίου· καὶ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ Κύριος, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ἀνάστηθι καὶ κατάβηθι εἰς Κεϊλὰ, ὅτι ἐγὼ παραδίδωμι τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους εἰς χεῖράς σου.

KJVThen David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

JPSThen David inquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said: ‘Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hand.’

ThomsonSo David went with his men to Keila, and fought the Philistines and they fled before him, and he took their cattle, and made a great slaughter among them. So David saved the inhabitants of Keila.

BrentonSo David and his men with him went to Keila, and fought with the Philistines; and they fled from before him, and he carried off their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter, and David rescued the inhabitants of Keila.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη Δαυὶδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ μετʼ αὐτοῦ εἰς Κεϊλὰ, καὶ ἐπολέμησε τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις· καὶ ἔφυγον ἐκ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπήγαγε τὰ κτήνη αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐπάταξεν ἐν αὐτοῖς πληγὴν μεγάλην, καὶ ἔσωσε Δαυὶδ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Κεϊλά.

KJVSo David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

JPSAnd David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and slew them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

ThomsonNow as Abiathar, son of Abimelech, had fled to David, he went down with him to Keila, having the ephod in his hand.

BrentonAnd it came to pass when Abiathar the son of Achimelech fled to David, that he went down with David to Keila, having an ephod in his hand.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ φεύγειν Ἀβιάθαρ υἱὸν Ἀχιμέλεχ πρὸς Δαυὶδ, καὶ αὐτὸς μετὰ Δαυὶδ εἰς Κεϊλὰ κατέβη ἔχων ἐφοὺδ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

JPSAnd it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

ThomsonAnd when Saul was told that David was come to Keila, Saul said, God hath sold him into my hands; for he is shut up by coming into a city with gates and bars.

BrentonAnd it was told Saul that David was come to Keila: and Saul said, God has sold him into my hands, for he is shut up, having entered into a city that has gates and bars.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Σαοὺλ, ὅτι ἥκει ὁ Δαυὶδ εἰς Κεϊλά· καὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ, πέπρακεν αὐτὸν ὁ Θεὸς εἰς τὰς χεῖράς μου, ὅτι ἀποκέκλεισται εἰσελθὼν εἰς πόλιν θυρῶν καὶ μοχλῶν.

KJVAnd it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.

JPSAnd it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said: ‘God hath delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.’

ThomsonSo Saul gave orders to all the people to go down for battle, to Keila, to take David and his men.

BrentonAnd Saul charged all the people to go down to war to Keila, to besiege David and his men.

GreekΚαὶ παρήγγειλε Σαοὺλ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ καταβαίνειν εἰς πόλεμον εἰς Κεϊλὰ, συνέχειν τὸν Δαυὶδ καὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

JPSAnd Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

ThomsonAnd David knew it; for Saul did not conceal his mischievous intention respecting him. Therefore David said to Abiathar the priest, Bring here the ephod of the Lord.

BrentonAnd David knew that Saul spoke openly of mischief against him: and David said to Abiathar the priest, Bring the ephod of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἔγνω Δαυὶδ, ὅτι οὐ παρασιωπᾷ Σαοὺλ περὶ αὐτοῦ τὴν κακίαν· καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς Ἀβιάθαρ τὸν ἱερέα, προσάγαγε τὸ ἐφοὺδ Κυρίου.

KJVAnd David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

JPSAnd David knew that Saul devised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest: ‘Bring hither the ephod.’

ThomsonAnd David said, O Lord God of Israel, Thy servant hath heard that Saul seeketh to come against Keila to destroy the city on my account.

BrentonAnd David said, Lord God of Israel, thy servant has indeed heard, that Saul seeks to come against Keila to destroy the city on my account.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Δαυίδ, Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραήλ, ἀκούων ἀκήκοεν ὁ δοῦλός σου, ὅτι ζητεῖ Σαοὺλ ἐλθεῖν ἐπὶ Κεϊλὰ διαφθεῖραι τὴν πόλιν διʼ ἐμέ.

KJVThen said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

JPSThen said David: ‘O LORD, the God of Israel, Thy servant hath surely heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

ThomsonAnd the Lord said, It will be shut up.

BrentonWill the place be shut up? and now will Saul come down, as thy servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, tell thy servant. And the Lord said, It will be shut up.

GreekΕἰ ἀποκλεισθήσεται; καὶ νῦν εἰ καταβήσεται Σαοὺλ, καθὼς ἤκουσεν ὁ δοῦλός σου; Κύριε ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραήλ ἀπάγγειλον τῷ δούλῳ σου· καὶ εἶπε Κύριος, ἀποκλεισθήσεται.

KJVWill the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.

JPSWill the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as Thy servant hath heard?’ O LORD, the God of Israel, I beseech Thee, tell Thy servant.’ And the LORD said: ‘He will come down.’

ThomsonThereupon David arose, and his men with him, about three hundred, and departed out of Keila, and went wherever they could go. And when Saul was told that David had escaped from Keila, he forbore going.

BrentonAnd David arose, and the men with him, in number about four hundred, and they went forth from Keila, and went whithersoever they could go: and it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keila, and he forbore to come.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη Δαυὶδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ μετʼ αὐτοῦ ὡς τετρακόσιοι, καὶ ἐξῆλθον ἐκ Κεϊλὰ, καὶ ἐπορεύοντο οὗ ἐὰν ἐπορεύοντο· καὶ τῷ Σαοὺλ ἀπηγγέλη, ὅτι διασέσωσται Δαυὶδ ἐκ Κεϊλὰ, καὶ ἀνῆκε τοῦ ἐλθεῖν.

KJVThen David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.

JPSThen David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbore to go forth.

ThomsonSo David halted at Maserem, in the wilderness, at the straits, and fixed himself in the wilderness on mount Ziph, in that parched land. Though Saul continually sought David, yet the Lord did not deliver him into his hands.

BrentonAnd he dwelt in Maserem in the wilderness, in the narrow passes; and dwelt in the wilderness in mount Ziph, in the dry country. And Saul sought him continually, but the Lord delivered him not into his hands.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐν Μασερὲμ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐν τοῖς στενοῖς, καὶ ἐκάθετο ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐν τῷ ὄρει Ζὶφ, ἐν τῇ γῇ τῇ αὐχμώδει· καὶ ἐζήτει αὐτὸν Σαοὺλ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας, καὶ οὐ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν Κύριος εἰς τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

JPSAnd David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

ThomsonEven when David saw that Saul was coming to seek him, when he was on the desert mountain in Kaina Ziph,

BrentonAnd David perceived that Saul went forth to seek David; and David was in the dry mountain in the New Ziph.

GreekΚαὶ εἶδε Δαυὶδ, ὅτι ἐξέρχεται Σαοὺλ τοῦ ζητεῖν τὸν Δαυίδ· καὶ Δαυὶδ ἦν ἐν τῷ ὄρει τῷ αὐχμώδει ἐν τῇ Καινῇ Ζίφ.

KJVAnd David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

JPSAnd David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life; and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the wood.

ThomsonJonathan, son of Saul, arose, and went to David at Kaina, and strengthened his confidence in the Lord,

BrentonAnd Jonathan son of Saul rose, and went to David to Cæne, and strengthened his hands in the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστη Ἰωνάθαν υἱὸς Σαοὺλ καὶ ἐπορεύθη πρὸς Δαυὶδ εἰς Καινὴν, καὶ ἐκραταίωσε τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἐν Κυρίῳ,

KJVAnd Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

JPSAnd Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

Thomsonand said to him, Fear not; for the hand of my father Saul cannot find thee; so that thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be second to thee, and Saul, my father, knoweth that this will be the case.

BrentonAnd he said to him, Fear not, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be second to thee; and Saul my father knows it.

Greekκαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν, μὴ φοβοῦ, ὅτι οὐ μὴ εὕρῃ σε ἡ χεὶρ Σαοὺλ τοῦ πατρός μου, καὶ σὺ βασιλεύσεις ἐπὶ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐγὼ ἔσομαί σοι εἰς δεύτερον, καὶ Σαοὺλ ὁ πατήρ μου οἶδεν οὕτως.

KJVAnd he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

JPSAnd he said unto him: ‘Fear not; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.’

ThomsonSo they two made a covenant before the Lord, and David abode at Kaina, and Jonathan returned to his house.

BrentonSo they both made a covenant before the Lord; and David dwelt in Cæne, and Jonathan went to his home.

GreekΚαὶ διέθεντο ἀμφότεροι διαθήκην ἐνώπιον Κυρίου· καὶ ἐκάθητο Δαυὶδ ἐν Καινῇ, καὶ Ἰωνάθαν ἀπῆλθεν εἰς οἶκον αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

JPSAnd they two made a covenant before the LORD; and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

ThomsonThen the Ziphites went up from the wilderness to Saul, on the mount, and said, Behold doth not David hide himself near us at Messara, at the straits by Kaina, on mount Echala, which is to the right of Jessamon?

BrentonAnd the Ziphites came up out of the dry country to Saul to the hill, saying, Behold, is not David hidden with us in Messara, in the narrows in Cæne in the hill of Echela, which is on the right of Jessæmon?

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέβησαν οἱ Ζιφαῖοι ἐκ τῆς αὐχμώδους πρὸς Σαοὺλ ἐπὶ τὸν βουνὸν, λέγοντες, οὐκ ἰδοὺ Δαυὶδ κέκρυπται παρʼ ἡμῖν ἐν Μεσσαρὰ ἐν τοῖς στενοῖς ἐν τῇ Καινῇ ἐν τῷ βουνῷ τοῦ Ἑχελᾶ τοῦ ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Ἰεσσαιμοῦ;

KJVThen came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

JPSThen came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying: ‘Doth not David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

ThomsonNow therefore every thing answereth the king’s desire to induce him to come down. Come down to us. He is shut into the king’s hands.

BrentonAnd now according to all the king's desire to come down, let him come down to us; they have shut him up into the hands of the king.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν πᾶν τὸ πρὸς ψυχὴν τοῦ βασιλέως εἰς κατάβασιν, καταβαινέτω πρὸς ἡμᾶς· κεκλείκασιν αὐτὸν εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τοῦ βασιλέως.

KJVNow therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.

JPSNow therefore, O king, come down, according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him up into the king’s hand.’

ThomsonThereupon Saul said to them, Blessed are you of the Lord; for you have cared for me.

BrentonAnd Saul said to them, Blessed be ye of the Lord, for ye have been grieved on my account.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Σαοὺλ, εὐλογημένοι ὑμεῖς τῷ Κυρίῳ, ὅτι ἐπονέσατε περὶ ἐμοῦ·

KJVAnd Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

JPSAnd Saul said: ‘Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have had compassion on me.

Thomson—

BrentonGo, I pray you, and make preparations yet, and notice his place where his foot shall be, quickly, in that place which ye spoke of, lest by any means he should deal craftily.

GreekΠορεύθητε δὴ καὶ ἑτοιμάσατε ἔτι, καὶ γνῶτε τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ οὗ ἔσται ὁ ποὺς αὐτοῦ ἐν τάχει ἐκεῖ οὗ εἴπατε, μή ποτε πανουργεύσηται.

KJV—

JPSGo, I pray you, make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there; for it is told me that he dealeth very subtly.

ThomsonTake a view therefore, and know, and I will go down with you, and if he be in that country I will search him out among all the thousands of Juda.

BrentonTake notice, then, and learn, and I will go with you; and it shall come to pass that if he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Juda.

GreekΚαὶ ἴδετε καὶ γνῶτε, καὶ πορεύσομαι μεθʼ ὑμῶν· καὶ ἔσται εἰ ἔστιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐξερευνήσω αὐτὸν ἐν πάσαις χιλιάσιν Ἰούδα.

KJVSee therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

JPSSee therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and come ye back to me with the certainty, and I will go with you; and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.’

ThomsonSo the Ziphites arose and went before Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, westward, on the right of Jessamon.

BrentonAnd the Ziphites arose, and went before Saul: and David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, westward, to the right of Jessæmon.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστησαν οἱ Ζιφαῖοι, καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ἔμπροσθεν Σαούλ· καὶ Δαυὶδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τῇ Μαὼν καθʼ ἑσπέραν ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Ἰεσσαιμοῦ.

KJVAnd they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

JPSAnd they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul; but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of Jeshimon.

ThomsonAnd when Saul with his men went to seek him, and David was told, he went down to the rock which is in the wilderness of Maon; and when Saul heard, he pursued after David to the wilderness of Maon.

BrentonAnd Saul and his men went to seek him: and they brought word to David, and he went down to the rock that was in the wilderness of Maon: and Saul heard, and followed after David to the wilderness of Maon.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη Σαοὺλ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ζητεῖν αὐτόν· καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν τῷ Δαυὶδ, καὶ κατέβη εἰς τὴν πέτραν τὴν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Μαών· καὶ ἤκουσε Σαοὺλ, καὶ κατεδίωξεν ὀπίσω Δαυὶδ εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Μαών.

KJVSaul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

JPSAnd Saul and his men went to seek him. And they told David; wherefore he came down to the rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

ThomsonAnd Saul and his men marched on one side of the mountain, while David and his men were on the other side of the mountain. But David was protected in escaping from the presence of Saul. For while Saul and his men were encamping against David and his men, to take them,

BrentonAnd Saul and his men go on one side of the mountain, and David and his men are on the other side of the mountain: and David was hiding himself to escape from Saul: and Saul and his men encamped against David and his men, in order to take them.

GreekΚαὶ πορεύονται Σαοὺλ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἐκ μέρους τοῦ ὄρους ἐκ τούτου, καὶ ἦν Δαυὶδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἐκ μέρους τοῦ ὄρους ἐκ τούτου· καὶ ἦν Δαυὶδ σκεπαζόμενος πορεύεσθαι ἀπὸ προσώπου Σαούλ· καὶ Σαοὺλ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ παρενέβαλον ἐπὶ Δαυὶδ καὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτοῦ, συλλαβεῖν αὐτούς.

KJVAnd Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

JPSAnd Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain; and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

Thomsona messenger came to Saul, and said, Haste and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

BrentonAnd there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come hither, for the Philistines have invaded the land.

GreekΚαὶ πρὸς Σαοὺλ ἦλθεν ἄγγελος, λέγων, σπεῦδε καὶ δεῦρο, ὅτι ἀλλόφυλοι ἐπέθεντο ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν.

KJVBut there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

JPSBut there came a messenger unto Saul, saying: ‘Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have made a raid upon the land.’

ThomsonWhereupon Saul returned from pursuing David, and went to meet the Philistines. For this cause that place was called, The dividing rock.

BrentonSo Saul returned from following after David, and went to meet the Philistines: therefore that place was called The divided Rock.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστρεψε Σαοὺλ μὴ καταδιώκειν ὀπίσω Δαυίδ, καὶ ἐπορεύθη εἰς συνάντησιν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων· διὰ τοῦτο ἐπεκλήθη ὁ τόπος ἐκεῖνος, πέτρα ἡ μερισθεῖσα.

KJVWherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.

JPSSo Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.