David confidently chose to hide in Engedi to secure safety and maintain faithful obedience to God’s plan.
In 1 Samuel 23:29, we read, “And David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.” (v.29). This verse places David, who reigned as King of Israel from approximately 1010 B.C. to 970 B.C., on a path of continuous flight and strategic relocation. By “went up” (v.29), the Scripture indicates David’s movement in elevation, because traveling to Engedi from prior locations such as the wilderness areas meant ascending into higher terrain. This highlights his deep reliance on God’s guidance as he eluded pursuit by King Saul who was determined to capture him.
The location “Engedi” (v.29) stands on the western shore of the Dead Sea, an oasis area known for its fresh springs, rugged cliffs, and natural hiding places. Engedi’s isolation and rocky surroundings served as “the strongholds” (v.29) that David used effectively for protection. The physical layout—steep ravines, hidden caves, and water sources—meant that David and his men could remain out of sight from Saul’s forces, ensuring their survival. Engedi’s strategic advantage speaks to God’s continued providence over David, much like He provides refuge and safety for believers in all their trials (Psalm 46:1).
David’s trust in the Lord during this precarious time echoes forward into the New Testament message of finding deliverance and rest in God, ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28). Even as David waited for God’s timing to assume his rightful kingship, he demonstrated unwavering dependence on divine protection. This moment at Engedi reveals David’s posture of waiting on the Lord to establish him, similar to how believers now wait on the Lord’s day of redemption (Romans 8:23).
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1 Samuel 23:29 meaning
In 1 Samuel 23:29, we read, “And David went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Engedi.” (v.29). This verse places David, who reigned as King of Israel from approximately 1010 B.C. to 970 B.C., on a path of continuous flight and strategic relocation. By “went up” (v.29), the Scripture indicates David’s movement in elevation, because traveling to Engedi from prior locations such as the wilderness areas meant ascending into higher terrain. This highlights his deep reliance on God’s guidance as he eluded pursuit by King Saul who was determined to capture him.
The location “Engedi” (v.29) stands on the western shore of the Dead Sea, an oasis area known for its fresh springs, rugged cliffs, and natural hiding places. Engedi’s isolation and rocky surroundings served as “the strongholds” (v.29) that David used effectively for protection. The physical layout—steep ravines, hidden caves, and water sources—meant that David and his men could remain out of sight from Saul’s forces, ensuring their survival. Engedi’s strategic advantage speaks to God’s continued providence over David, much like He provides refuge and safety for believers in all their trials (Psalm 46:1).
David’s trust in the Lord during this precarious time echoes forward into the New Testament message of finding deliverance and rest in God, ultimately fulfilled through Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28). Even as David waited for God’s timing to assume his rightful kingship, he demonstrated unwavering dependence on divine protection. This moment at Engedi reveals David’s posture of waiting on the Lord to establish him, similar to how believers now wait on the Lord’s day of redemption (Romans 8:23).