So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth.
Here, 1. The Ziphites offer their service to Saul, to betray David to him, Sa1 23:19, Sa1 23:20. He was sheltering himself in the wilderness of Ziph (Sa1 23:14, Sa1 23:15), putting the more confidence in the people of that country because they were of his own tribe.
Commenting on 1 Samuel 23:19-29
Therefore Saul returned from pursuing after David,.... 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.
Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. (l) That is, stone of division, because there they divided themselves one from another.