And David [was] then in an hold,.... In a strong hold; the strong hold of Zion, as Josephus x, or one on a rock near the cave of Adullam, see 1 Chronicles 11:15;
and the garrison of the Philistines [was] then [in] Bethlehem; which was about six miles from Jerusalem; the valley of Rephaim lay between that and Bethlehem; so far had they got into the land of Judea, and such footing in it, as to have a garrison so near its metropolis.
x Antiqu. l. 7. c. 12. sect. 4.