The term "refuge" refers to a place or condition of safety and protection. A "shelter" refers to a physical structure that protects from weather or danger.
* The term "city of refuge" in the Old Testament referred to one of several cities which a person who accidentally killed someone could run for protection from people who would attack them in revenge.
* Sometimes "shelter" means "protection," as when Lot said that his guests were "under the shelter" of his roof. He was saying that they should be safe because they were in his house.
* To "find shelter" or to "take shelter" or to "take refuge" could be translated as to "find a place of safety" or to "put oneself in a protected place."