John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. Then Saul arose , etc.] Immediately, glad of an opportunity to seize on David, having the same disposition towards him as ever; and perhaps had repented he had not laid hold on him when he followed him out of the cave: and went down to the wilderness of Ziph : or towards it: having three thousand chosen men of Israel ; young men, so called, because usually chosen for business, and for war particularly, rather than old men; the same number he took with him when he sought him at Engedi, ( 1 Samuel 24:2); to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph ; where or whereabouts he was informed by the Ziphites he was.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - How soon do unholy hearts lose the good impressions convictions have made upon them! How helpless were Saul and all his men! All as thoug disarmed and chained, yet nothing is done to them; they are onl asleep. How easily can God weaken the strongest, befool the wisest, an baffle the most watchful! David still resolved to wait till God though fit to avenge him on Saul. He will by no means force his way to the promised crown by any wrong methods. The temptation was very strong but if he yielded, he would sin against God, therefore he resisted the temptation, and trusted God with the event.
Original Hebrew ויקם6965 שׁאול7586 וירד3381 אל413 מדבר4057 זיף2128 ואתו854 שׁלשׁת7969 אלפים505 אישׁ376 בחורי970 ישׂראל3478 לבקשׁ1245 את853 דוד1732 במדבר4057 זיף׃2128
