Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.
The Ziphites stirred up Saul afresh, and he caught at their information like tinder to a spark. How quickly the unsanctified heart vomits up its convictions and returns to its sin. David, meanwhile, acted with true valor by silent retirement into the wilderness, seeking his own safety, not Saul's ruin.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Samuel 26:1-5
Then Saul arose,.... Immediately, glad of an opportunity to seize on David, having the same disposition towards him as ever; and perhaps had repented he had not laid hold on him when he followed him out of the cave: and went down to the wilderness of Ziph: or towards it: having three thousand chosen men of Israel; young men, so called, because usually chosen for...
Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. (a) That is, of the most skilful and valiant soldiers.