1 Samuel 23 · Verse 28

1 Samuel 23:28

Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela–hammahlekoth.
1 Samuel 23:28, King James Version

1 Samuel 23:28 in other translations

BSBSo Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth.
WEBSo Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines. Therefore they called that place Sela Hammahlekoth.
ASVSo Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
YLTAnd Saul turneth back from pursuing after David, and goeth to meet the Philistines, therefore they have called that place ‘The Rock of Divisions.'
DARBYAnd Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
BBESo turning back from going after David, Saul went against the Philistines: so that place was named Sela-hammah-lekoth.
WebsterWherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammah-lekoth.

What does 1 Samuel 23:28 mean?

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Samuel 23:19-29

In the midst of his wickedness, Saul affected to speak the language of piety. Such expressions, without suitable effects, can only amuse or deceive those who hear, and those who use them. This mountain was an emblem of the Divine Providence coming between David and the destroyer. Let us not be dismayed at the prospect of future difficulties, but stay ourselves upon Him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in…

Read the full comment on 1 Samuel 23:19-29 →

1 Samuel 23:28 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיָּ֣שָׁבvai.Ya.shovand he turned backH7725
שָׁא֗וּלsha.'UlSaulH7586
מִרְדֹף֙mir.Doffrom pursuingH7291
אַחֲרֵ֣י'a.cha.ReiafterH310
דָוִ֔דda.VidDavidH1732
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְvai.Ye.lekhand he wentH1980
לִקְרַ֣אתlik.Ratto meetH7122
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑יםpe.lish.Tim[the] PhilistinesH6430
עַל\־'al-there-H5921
כֵּ֗ןKen-foreH3651
קָֽרְאוּ֙ka.re.'Upeople calledH7121
לַמָּק֣וֹםla.ma.Kom<to> the placeH4725
הַה֔וּאha.Hu'<the> thatH1931
סֶ֖לַעSe.la'SelaH5555
הַֽמַּחְלְקֽוֹת\׃Ha.mach.le.KotHammahlekothH5555

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Sela-hammahlekoth. 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.
28

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Samuel 23:27

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

  • 1 Samuel 23:28

    Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela–hammahlekoth.

  • 1 Samuel 23:29

    And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at En–gedi.

Read all of 1 Samuel 23

1 Samuel 23:28 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Volvióse por tanto Saúl de perseguir á David, y partió contra los Filisteos. Por esta causa pusieron á aquel lugar por nombre Sela-hammah-lecoth.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Saül cessa de poursuivre David, et il marcha à la rencontre des Philistins. C’est pourquoi on a appelé ce lieu-là Séla-Hammakhlekoth.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Da kehrte Saul um von der Verfolgung Davids und zog den Philistern entgegen. Daher nannte man jenen Ort: Selach-Hammachlekoth.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Reversus est ergo Saul desistens persequi David, et perrexit in occursum Philisthinorum: propter hoc vocaverunt locum illum, Petram dividentem.