Not only this abundant growth but also the inaccessibility of the region made En-gedi an ideal hideout for David when he was being pursued by King Saul. Thus the Bible speaks of certain “places difficult to approach at En-gedi.” (1Sa 23:29) Modern-day visitors have similarly depicted the dangerous and precipitous rocky passes in that area.

The rocks of En-gedi are honeycombed with roomy caves. David and his men may have hidden in one of these. (1Sa 24:3) Some suggest that “the stone sheepfolds” where Saul stopped may refer to these caves, with a rough wall built in front to give weather protection.​—1Sa 24:2-10.