But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have made a raid upon the land.

And a messenger came to Saul, saying: Make haste to come, for the Philistines have poured in themselves upon the land.

And a messenger hath come in unto Saul, saying, 'Haste, and come, for the Philistines have pushed against the land.'

But a man came to Saul saying, Be quick and come; for the Philistines have made an attack on the land.

And a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Hurry and come, because the Philistines have poured themselves out upon the land."

There came a messenger - See the providence of God exerted for the salvation of David's life! David and his men are almost surrounded by Saul and his army, and on the point of being taken, when a messenger arrives and informs Saul that the Philistines had invaded the land! But behold the workings of Providence! God had already prepared the invasion of the land by the Philistines, and kept Saul ignorant how much David was in his power; but as his advanced guards and scouts must have discovered him in a very short time, the messenger arrives just at the point of time to prevent it. Here David was delivered by God, and in such a manner too as rendered the Divine interposition visible.

But there came a (k) messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.
(k) Thus the Lord can pull back the bridle of the tyrants and deliver his out of the lion's mouth.

But there came a messenger unto Saul,.... From his court, by order of his council there; though the Jews (t) say it was an angel from heaven; but be it which it will, it was certainly the providence of God that directed this affair, that a messenger should come to Saul just at that very time that David was like to fall into his hands:
saying, haste thee, and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land; were come into it, and spread themselves in it, as the word signifies, which expresses their numbers they had poured in, the force they came with, and the possessions they had already got; perhaps they had taken the advantage of Saul's departure in quest of David, to penetrate into the tribe of Benjamin, where his patrimony, residence, and court were, and which were liable to fall into their hands; and therefore his presence was immediately required, and haste was necessary.
(t) Midrash apud Yalkut in loc.

A messenger, &c. - The wisdom of God is never at a loss for ways, and means to preserve his people.