1 Samuel 23:28

“Therefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, etc.] Stopped short at once, as soon as ever he received the message: and went against the Philistines; to stop them in their progress, and drive them out of his country: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth, which signifies the rock of divisions. David and his men, very probably, gave it this name, not only because it divided between Saul and his men, and David and his men, when they were one on one side of it, and the other on the other side of it; but because Saul was, by the providence of God, divided and separated from David here, whereby he escaped falling into his hands. The Targum is, “therefore they called that place…”

“Sela-hammahlekoth - See the margin. (Identified by Conder with a narrow and impassable gorge between El Kolah and Maon, called Malaky). return to 'Top of Page'”

“Called, &c. - That is, The rock of divisions, because there Saul was separated, and in a manner pulled asunder from David, who was now almost within his reach. Next: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) Chapter 24”

“23:28 the Rock of Escape: It was not uncommon for a place name to commemorate thankfulness to God (e.g., Gen 22:14; 28:19; 32:30). The exact rock formation that received this name is unknown.”

“Selahammahlekoth: that is, the rock of divisions, Because, says the Targum, "the heart of the king was divided to go hither and thither." Here Saul was obliged to separate himself from David, in order to go and oppose the invading Philistines; which deliverance of David was of such a nature as made the Divine interposition fully visible. Sa1 23:28 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 23:29”

“From this occurrence the place received the name of Sela-hammahlekoth, "rock of smoothnesses," i.e., of slipping away or escaping, from חלק, in the sense of being smooth. This explanation is at any rate better supported than "rock of divisions, i.e., the rock at which Saul and David were separated" (Clericus), since חלק does not mean to separate. Next: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) Chapter 24”