1 Samuel 24 2

1 Samuel 24:2 kjv

Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

1 Samuel 24:2 nkjv

Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

1 Samuel 24:2 niv

So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.

1 Samuel 24:2 esv

Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats' Rocks.

1 Samuel 24:2 nlt

So Saul chose 3,000 elite troops from all Israel and went to search for David and his men near the rocks of the wild goats.

1 Samuel 24 verses

1 Samuel 24 2 Meaning

1 Samuel 24:2 describes Saul's relentless and extensive pursuit of David. Despite being the king, Saul redirected significant national resources and manpower to hunt down David, whom he perceived as a threat to his throne, rather than focusing on the well-being or external defense of Israel. He assembled an elite military force, numbering three thousand of Israel's chosen men, and dispatched them to the "Rocks of the Wild Goats," a rugged and desolate wilderness area, known for its challenging terrain suitable for hiding. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic encounter where David, though in a position of vulnerability, demonstrates his trust in God's timing and his reverence for God's anointed king, even in the face of profound personal danger and relentless persecution. It underscores the intense, personal vendetta Saul held against David.

1 Samuel 24 2 Context

1 Samuel chapter 24 is pivotal in the narrative of David's rise to kingship and Saul's downfall. Leading directly into this verse, Chapter 23 describes Saul's increasingly fervent and organized attempts to capture David, with David constantly on the run and dependent on God's guidance. The preceding verses of Chapter 24 reveal Saul had just returned from a Philistine pursuit, only to be immediately informed of David's hiding place. Verse 2 specifically describes Saul's reaction to this news. He does not hesitate or divert resources; rather, he prioritizes his personal vendetta against David. Historically, this period reflects the instability in Israel during a transitional phase of kingship, where the anointed, godly leader (David) is unjustly pursued by the divinely rejected, paranoid king (Saul), setting the stage for one of the most significant moral tests for David in sparing Saul's life in the cave. The "Rocks of the Wild Goats" (Hebrew: Tsure Ha-Ya'alim), traditionally identified with the area around En Gedi on the western shore of the Dead Sea, are known for their rugged, precipitous cliffs, deep ravines, and numerous caves, making it an ideal hideout but also a difficult search area for such a large force.

1 Samuel 24 2 Word analysis

• Then Saul took: This immediate action ("Then") highlights Saul's quick response to the news of David's location, underscoring his urgency and relentless obsession.
• three thousand chosen men: (Hebrew: shloshet alafim ish baḥur). "Three thousand" is a very substantial number for such a pursuit, indicating a national effort. "Chosen" (baḥur) implies elite, well-trained, and dedicated soldiers, emphasizing the seriousness and efficiency of Saul's undertaking. It reveals that Saul wasn't merely sending a small scouting party, but a formidable force designed to overwhelm and capture David decisively.
• out of all Israel: (Hebrew: mikkol Yisrael). This phrase signifies the king's authority to levy troops from across the nation, demonstrating the king's extensive reach. It also illustrates how Saul's personal vendetta dragged the entire nation's resources and people into his private war, potentially at the expense of protecting the kingdom from external threats.
• and went to seek: (Hebrew: vayyelekh levaqqesh). "Went" is straightforward. "To seek" (levaqqesh) implies a deliberate, active search, not a casual inquiry. Saul was determined to track David down, personally leading this expedition, which conveys the depth of his obsession and the primary focus of his reign at this point.
• David and his men: Refers to David and the band of about six hundred men (1 Sam 23:13) who had gathered around him, many of them outcasts or discontented (1 Sam 22:2), but who were loyal to him. Saul saw this group as a rebellious faction and a direct threat to his authority.
• in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats: (Hebrew: al pney Tsure Ha-Ya'alim). This is a precise geographical location. Tsur means "rock" or "crag," and Ya'alim means "wild goats" or "ibexes," known for their agility on rocky terrain. This area, traditionally associated with En Gedi, is exceedingly rugged, characterized by steep cliffs, deep ravines, and many caves. Its specific mention indicates the difficulty of the terrain, implying David chose it for its defensibility and the challenges it posed to pursuers. This detail also adds a vivid, realistic element to the narrative.

Words-Group Analysis: