Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 23:24
And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men [were] in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
24. in the wilderness of Maon ] The district round the conical hill about seven miles south of Hebron still known as Tell Man. It is mentioned in Jos 15:55 among the cities of Judah in the mountains. It was the home of Nabal (ch. 1Sa 25:2).
in the plain on the south of Jeshimon ] In the steppe on the south of the Waste. The Arbah or “steppe” is here the name of the district south of “the Waste,” where the plateau falls away towards the plains of Beersheba. The term Arbah generally denotes either the depressed valley of the Jordan, or the valley between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Akaba, but neither of these can be intended here.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The plain – The Arabah, the desert tract which extends along the valley of the Jordan from the Dead Sea to the Lake of Gennesareth, now called El-Ghor. The word is now given by the Arabs to the valley between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Akaba.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Before Saul, to prepare things for Saul, who marched after them.
In the wilderness of Maon, whither he went from the wilderness of Ziph, upon suspicion or information that Saul was coming thither.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And they arose, and went to Ziph, before Saul,…. Not before his person, as if he went with them, and they before him leading the way; but they went thither before he went, to prepare things more exactly, and with more certainty, before he came, and in order to return to him again and go with him:
but David and his men [were] in the wilderness at Maon; for by the time the Ziphites returned home, David had intelligence of their design, and therefore removed from the wilderness of Ziph to the wilderness of Maon; which, though in the same tribe, was a distinct place;
[See comments on Jos 15:55];
in the plain on the south of Jeshimon; the same as in 1Sa 23:19; only David was now farther to the south of it, and in a plain, whereas before he was on an hill.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
With this answer the Ziphites arose and “ went to Ziph before Saul ” (who would speedily follow with his warriors); but David had gone farther in the meantime, and was with his men “ in the desert of Maon, in the steppe to the south of the wilderness.” Maon, now Man, is about three hours and three-quarters S.S.E. of Hebron (see at Jos 15:55), and therefore only two hours from Ziph, from which it is visible. “The table-land appears to terminate here; nevertheless the principal ridge of the southern mountains runs for a considerable distance towards the south-west, whereas towards the south-east the land falls off more and more into a lower table-land.” This is the Arabah or steppe on the right of the wilderness (v. de Velde, ii. pp. 107-8).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(24) In the wilderness of Maon.Still further to the south. The name of this district is still preserved in the village or small town of Main, which is built on a prominent conical hill.
In the plain.This accurate description was, no doubt, inserted by the compiler of these books, owing to the intense interest which the wanderings of this favourite hero and king excited among his countrymen. We can well imagine how gladly the dwellers in Judea, especially in later daysafter the glorious reign of David had changed the tribes struggling with the surrounding petty nations for very existence into a great and renowned nationwould trace out the itinerary of the great king as he fled for his life before Saul. Is it too much to assume that each of these spots, which to us is little more than a hard, dry name, for a long period were the resort of reverent and curious pilgrims, anxious to gaze on localities made sacred by the weary wanderings and the hair-breadth escapes of the glorious king of Israel?
The plain.Literally, the Arabah, the desert track which extends along the Jordan Valley from the Dead Sea to the Lake of Gennesareth; it is now called El-Ghor. The term is also applied to the desolate valley which lies between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Akaba. Stanley, in his Sinai and Palestine, has given a picturesque description of these weird districts.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. Wilderness of Maon This lay about four miles southeast of Ziph, and is still marked by the modern Main. Compare Jos 15:55. Thus as David found himself pursued and hunted even by the Ziphites, he retreated still further to the south.
On the south of Jeshimon Rather, on the right of the desert. See note on 1Sa 23:19.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 23:24 And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men [were] in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
Ver. 24. And went to Ziph before Saul. ] As his guides and forerunners, fearing him as the heathens did their Vejoves, lest he should serve them as he had lately done the city of Nob.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the wilderness = a wild forest or park-like country. Carmel of Judah. Not Carmel of Manasseh.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the wilderness: Maon, from which the adjoining mountainous district derived its name, was city in the most southern parts of the tribe of Judah, and a neighbouring town to Carmel. Hence Nabal – 1Sa 25:2 is described as a man of Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and though he might dwell generally in Maon, yet he is styled Nabal the Carmelite, from the place where his estate lay. Calmet supposes it to be the city Minois, which Eusebius places in the vicinity of Gaza; and the Moenoemi Castrum, which the Theodosian code places near Beersheba.
Maon: 1Sa 25:2, Jos 15:55
the south: 1Sa 23:19
Reciprocal: Jos 15:24 – Ziph Jdg 10:12 – the Maonites
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 23:24-25. But David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon Having heard what the Ziphites had undertaken, David disappointed their design by going into another place, with which, it is likely, they were not so well acquainted. For Maon was a distant wilderness from Ziph, though both were in the tribe of Judah. Saul also and his men went to seek him Hearing, it is likely, by the Ziphites, whither he was gone. Therefore he came down into a rock Some craggy, desolate place, where he thought Saul would not find him; or rather, into a cave which was in the rock, where, at first, he might think to hide himself; but, on further consideration, he removed from thence upon Sauls approach.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
David in the wilderness of Maon 23:24-29
Maon stood about five miles south of Ziph in the wilderness of Judah. The "Arabah" describes the low-lying area that extends from Mt. Hermon to the Red Sea, including the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea regions. Jeshimon means "desert" or "waste" in Hebrew, so it may have been the name of a region east of Ziph.
Some of David’s sympathizers ("they," 1Sa 23:25) informed him that Saul was approching with soldiers. David and his men then sought refuge behind a huge rock in the area. Just as Saul’s men were about to close in on David, news reached Saul that the Philistines had invaded an unspecified area of Israel. Saul had to break off his personal vendetta to respond to the Philistine danger (cf. 1Sa 23:1). David then moved on to Engedi, 14 miles east of Ziph, to increase his safety.
This chapter encourages all of God’s servants who, like David, feel vulnerable to attacks by people who do not fear the Lord.
How did God deliver David? He saved him by bringing information to his ears that David needed to protect himself (1Sa 23:2; 1Sa 23:4; 1Sa 23:11-12; 1Sa 23:25). He also did it by distracting David’s enemy (1Sa 23:27-28).
What did David do while he trusted God? He did not become anxious and just wait. He sought God in prayer (1Sa 23:2; 1Sa 23:4; 1Sa 23:11-12; cf. Psalms 54; Php 4:6), and he proceeded to serve God (1Sa 23:2; 1Sa 23:5; cf. Mat 28:19-20).
How did David receive strength during his trials? God answered his prayers (1Sa 23:2; 1Sa 23:4; 1Sa 23:11-12; cf. Saul). Moreover, other godly people encouraged David, namely, Abiathar the priest, who helped him in prayer (1Sa 23:6), and Jonathan the prince, who reminded him of God’s promises (1Sa 23:16-18).