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Saturday, April 11th, 2026
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Read the Bible
Wycliffe Bible
1 Samuel 23:28
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.
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
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- 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.
Good News Translation
So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why that place is called Separation Hill.
So Saul stopped pursuing David and went to fight the Philistines. That is why that place is called Separation Hill.
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.
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 Forsothe men of Ziph stieden to Saul in Gabaa, and seiden, Lo! whether not Dauid is hid at vs in the sikireste places of the wode, in the hille of Achille, which is at the riyt syde of deseert? 20 Now therfor come thou doun, as thi soule desiride, that thou schuldist come doun; forsothe it schal be oure, that we bitake hym in to the hondis of the kyng. 21 And Saul seide, Blessid be ye of the Lord, for ye sorewiden `for my stide. 22 Therfor, Y preie, go ye, and make redi more diligentli, and do ye more curiousli ether intentifli, and biholde ye swiftly, where his foot is, ethir who siy hym there, where ye seiden; for he thenkith on me, that felli Y aspie hym. 23 Biholde ye, and se alle his hidyng places, in whiche he is hid, and turne ye ayen to me at a certeyn thing, that Y go with you; that if he closith hym silf yhe in to erthe, Y schal seke hym with alle the thousyndis of Juda. 24 And thei risiden, and yeden in to Ziph bifor Saul. Forsothe Dauid and hise men weren in the deseert of Maon, in the feldi places, at the riyt half of Jesymyth. 25 Therfor Saul yede and hise felowis to seke Dauid, and it was teld to Dauid; and anoon he yede doun to the stoon, and lyuyde in the deseert of Maon; and whanne Saul hadde herd this, he pursuede Dauid in the deseert of Maon. 26 And Saul yede and hise men at the side of the hil `on o part; forsothe Dauid and hise men weren in the side of the hil on the tother part; sotheli Dauid dispeiride, that he myyte ascape fro the face of Saul. And so Saul and hise men cumpassiden bi the maner of a coroun Dauid and hise men, that thei schulden take hem. 27 And a messanger cam to Saul, and seide, Haste thou, and come, for Filisteis han spred hem silf on the lond. 28 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.
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.
