Bible Strands
1 Samuel 24:3
Soon Saul came to the sheepfolds along the road, where there was a cave, and he went in to relieve himself. And David and his men were hiding in the recesses of the cave.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Saul arriving at the sheepfolds near a cave while pursuing David, as David and his men hide in the cave's recesses. This moment occurs during Saul's military hunt for David in the wilderness of En Gedi.
The words — The Hebrew וַיָּבֹא (va-yavo') literally means "and he came," marking Saul's arrival at the location. מְעָרָה (me'arah) translates to "a cave," specifying the concealment site for David's group.
The thread — The cave setting reappears in Psalms 57:1 and 142:1 as David's place of prayer while fleeing Saul, and parallels the isolated chamber in Judges 3:24 where Eglon is left alone.
Why it lands — The verse establishes the physical proximity of hunter and hunted, forcing a decision about violence and restraint. It requires the reader to observe how divine timing and human opportunity intersect in a confined space.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
Cross-references
- Judges 3:24 After Ehud was gone, Eglon’s servants came in and found the doors of the upper room locked. “He must be relieving himself in the cool room,” they said.
- Psalms 57:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
- Psalms 142:1 A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy.
- Psalms 141:6 When their rulers are thrown down from the cliffs, the people will listen to my words, for they are pleasant.