I Samuel 24:2
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So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
We have hitherto had Saul seeking an opportunity to destroy David, and, to his shame, he could never find it. In this chapter David had a fair opportunity to destroy Saul, and, to his honour, he did not make use of it; and his sparing Saul's life was as great an instance of God's grace in him as the preserving of his own life was of God's providence over him. Observe, I. How maliciously Saul sought David's life (Sa1 24:1, Sa1 24:2). II. How generously David saved Saul's life (when he had him at an advantage) and only cut off the skirt of his robe (Sa1 24:3-8). III. How pathetically he reasoned with Saul, upon this to bring him to a better temper towards him (Sa1 24:9-15). IV. The good impression this made upon Saul for the present (Sa1 24:16-22).
Open source ↗24:2 3,000 elite troops: David’s force was outnumbered five to one (23:13).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So Saul, accompanied by three thousand chosen men of Israel, went down to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there.
Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,
Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long.
He chose for himself three thousand men of Israel: Two thousand were with Saul at Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. And the rest of the troops he sent away, each to his own home.
The high mountains are for the wild goats, the cliffs a refuge for the rock badgers.
When their rulers are thrown down from the cliffs, the people will listen to my words, for they are pleasant.