Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!”
Here, 1. The Ziphites offer their service to Saul, to betray David to him, Sa1 23:19, Sa1 23:20. He was sheltering himself in the wilderness of Ziph (Sa1 23:14, Sa1 23:15), putting the more confidence in the people of that country because they were of his own tribe.
Commenting on 1 Samuel 23:19-29
But there came a messenger unto Saul,.... From his court, by order of his council there; though the Jews (t) say it was an angel from heaven; but be it which it will, it was certainly the providence of God that directed this affair, that a messenger should come to Saul just at that very time that David was like to fall into his hands...
But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. (k) Thus the Lord can pull back the bridle of the tyrants and deliver his out of the lion's mouth.