Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Samuel 24:2

"Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats." — 1 Samuel 24:2 (ASV)

Three thousand chosen men. — This large and carefully selected force is an indication of how thoroughly impressed Saul was with David's power at this point. Indeed, he evidently looked on him as a rival king, who had to be met by a numerous and disciplined force.

Upon the rocks of the wild goats. — “Ibex rocks,” so called because probably only these ibexes, the chamois of Syria, could find grazing on them. Some have suggested that this was a proper name. The ibex is still found among the precipitous cliffs in the vicinity of En-gedi.