There separated themselves From Saul, to whom they had hitherto adhered, and from their brethren of their own tribe, who yet maintained Saul's cause; and from their families, and the places where they lived, from whom they went to David. Into the hold to the wilderness
Or rather, into the hold of the wilderness; that is, either to the cave of Adullam or Engedi, or rather to Ziklag, which was in the wilderness of Judah, and may be here called the hold or fortress, for the same reason for which that name is given to the city of David, 1 Chronicles 11:7, (see the Hebrew,) namely, because it was a strong, well-fortified place. Whose faces were like the faces of lions Who were full of courage, and by the majesty and fierceness of their countenances terrified their adversaries. As swift as the roes upon the mountains As their very looks daunted their enemies, and put them to flight, so they could easily pursue, and overtake, and destroy them in their flight.