Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon. And Saul and his men went to seek him. And David was told, so he went down to the rock and lived in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. And David was hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them, a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.” So Saul returned from pursuing after David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi.
Comment: I think that we must admit that Saul had the upper hand at this moment. A national army on one side of the mountain and David with his meagre mob on the other side of the mountain. Then the news comes to Saul, just as he was about to capture one whom he saw as a bitter enemy, that the land of Israel is under an attack by the Philistines. Give him some credit for he put his national responsibility before his personal vendetta against David. Thinking about it, I am caused to wonder if there was a Divine finger on the timing of this message? David through his descendant, Jesus, eventually plays a large part in God’s plan of salvation!
Prayer: Thank You for watching over us even when we are thoughtless of You! But we would seek to not be thoughtless of You, O God.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. I agree with you about the fact that possibly God’s saving Hand was upon David with the messenger arriving to tell King Saul that the Philistines were coming to attack Israel. Thankfully Saul saw this situation as needing him and his army to be there to protect his land and his people, and David’s life was once again spared. “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.” God bless you.
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