Daniel's Literal Translation and Commentary
Paul in Arabia
"17 nor did I go up to Yerushalayim to those who were sent before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Next (after three years) I went up to Yerushalayim to visit Keepha and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other sent ones except Ya'akov, the Lord's brother." (torahtimes.org, Gal. 1:17-18).
comment: Paul was converted sometime in AD 36, probably in the summer when Herod Antipas' forces were being routed by the Arabian King Aretas to the south concerning a dispute over Aretas' daughter whom Herod had divorced. Paul preaches in Damascus confounding the Jews until a point in AD 37 when Aretas IV takes control of Damascus also. The indigenous Jews probably accused Paul of being a foreign Judean Jew, and hence an ally of the enemy Herod Antipas. Paul is forced to flee the city when the Arabian Ethnarch at the instigation of the Jews in the city tries to capture him. Paul was let down in a basket at night, and fled into parts of Arabia where he was not recognized. Aretas died in AD 39 or 40, but which time Paul was no longer sought, and Judea no longer considered a threat to Aretas. So Paul returned to Damascus. Paul mentions that it was three years after his conversion to emphasize that he did not go to Jerusalem until this much time had passed. And even so, he is anxious to point out that it was a brief visit and that he did not spend much time there.
Daniel's Literal Translation and Commentary: (http://www.torahtimes.org/translation/Gal0117.html)
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