And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.
The prophet Gad ... Abide not in the hold. This sound advice no doubt came from a higher source than Gad's own sagacity. It was necessary to preserve in David's mind a strong feeling of nationality, as well as to keep him from being contaminated by the influence of pagan superstition. It was right also that he should appear publicly among the people of his own tribe, as one conscious of innocence, and trusting in God; and it was expedient that, on the death of Saul, his friends might be encouraged to support his interest.
Depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Josephus ('Antiquities,' b. 6:, ch. 12:, sec. 4) calls it [teen kleerouchia] the portion (inheritance) of the tribe of Judah.
David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth. It is said to have been on the southwest of Jerusalem; but it has long ago disappeared. [The Septuagint version has `iyr (H5892), instead of ya`ar (H3293); ekathisen en polei Sarik.] Josephus also says, 'Coming to the city Hareth, which was in that tribe, he remained ekathisen en polei Sarik.] Josephus also says, 'Coming to the city Hareth, which was in that tribe, he remained there.'