I Samuel 23
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The Philistines fight against Keilah - Keilah was a fortified town in the tribe of Judah near to Eleutheropolis, on the road to Hebron. Rob the threshing-floors - This was an ancient custom of the Philistines, Midianites, and others. See Jdg 6:4. When the corn was ripe and fit to be threshed, and they had collected it at the threshing-floors, which were always in the open field, then their enemies came upon them and spoiled them of the fruits of their harvest.
Open source ↗DAVID RESCUES KEILAH. (Sa1 23:1-6) Then they told David--rather, "now they had told"; for this information had reached him previous to his hearing (Sa1 23:6) of the Nob tragedy. Keilah--a city in the west of Judah (Jos 15:44), not far from the forest of Hareth. and they rob the threshing-floors--These were commonly situated on the fields and were open to the wind (Jdg 6:11; Rut 3:2).
Open source ↗Then they told David,.... Either the men of Keilah sent to him, being near them, or some well wishers of theirs, and of their country, acquainted him with their case: saying, behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah; had laid siege to it, being a fortified place, Sa1 23:7; it was a city in the tribe of Judah, on the borders of the Philistines; of which See Gill on Jos 15:44, and they rob the threshing floors; took away the corn upon them, which they were threshing and winnowing, which were usually done without the city for the sake of wind, see Jdg 6:11; it was harvest time when the three mighty men came to David in the cave of Adullam, and so now it might be the time of threshing, harvest being over, see Sa1 22:1; compared with Sa2 23:13.
Open source ↗Sa1 23:1-14 Rescue of Keilah. - After his return to the mountains of Judah, David received intelligence that Philistines, i.e., a marauding company of these enemies of Israel, were fighting against Keilah, and plundering the threshing-floors, upon which the corn that had been reaped was lying ready for threshing. Keilah belonged to the towns of the lowlands of Judah (Jos 15:44); and although it has not yet been discovered, was certainly very close to the Philistian frontier. Sa1 23:2 After receiving this information, David inquired of the Lord (through the Urim and Thummim of the high priest) whether he should go and smite these Philistines, and received an affirmative answer. Sa1 23:3-6 But his men said to him, "Behold, here in Judah we are in fear (i.e., are not safe from Saul's pursuit); how shall we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?" In order, therefore, to infuse courage into them, he inquired of the Lord again, and received the assurance from God, "I will give the Philistines into thy hand." He then proceeded with his men, fought against the Philistines, drove off their cattle, inflicted a severe defeat upon them, and thus delivered the inhabitants of Keilah. In Sa1 23:6 a supplementary remark is added in explanation of the expression "inquired of the Lord," to the effect that, when Abiathar fled to David to Keilah, the ephod had come to him. The words "to David to Keilah" are not to be understood as signifying that Abiathar did not come to David till he was in Keilah, but that when he fled after David (Sa1 22:20), he met with him as he was already preparing for the march of Keilah, and immediately proceeded with him thither. For whilst it is not stated in Sa1 22:20 that Abiathar came to David in the wood of Hareth, but the place of meeting is lef…
Open source ↗Now we find why the prophet Gad (by divine direction, no doubt) ordered David to go into the land of Judah, Sa1 22:5. It was that, since Saul neglected the public safety, he might take care of it, notwithstanding the ill treatment that was given him; for he must render good for evil, and therein be a type of him who not only ventured his life, but laid down his life, for those that were his enemies. I. Tidings are brought to David, as to the patron and protector of his country's liberties, that the Philistines had made a descent upon the city of Keilah and plundered the country thereabouts, Sa1 23:1. Probably it was the departure both of God and David from Saul that encouraged the Philistines to make this incursion. When princes begin to persecute God's people and ministers, let them expect no other than vexation on all sides. The way for any country to be quiet is to let God's church be quiet in it. If Saul fight against David, the Philistines shall fight against his country. II. David is forward enough to come in for their relief, but is willing to enquire of the Lord concerning it. Here is an instance, 1. Of David's generosity and public-spiritedness. Though his head and hands were full of his own business, and he had enough to do, with the little force he had, to secure himself, yet he was concerned for the safety of his country and could not sit still to see that ravaged: nay, though Saul, whose business it was to guard the borders of his land, hated him and sought his life, yet he was willing, to the utmost of his power, to serve him and his interests against the common enemy, and bravely abhorred the thought of sacrificing the common welfare to his private revenge. Those are unlike to David who sullenly decline to do good because they have not been so well consid…
Open source ↗23:1-29 Thanks to informants (23:7, 13), Saul was able to stay on David’s trail. David also had informants, allowing him to keep one step ahead of Saul (23:1, 9, 15, 25). David’s chief advantage was access to divine guidance and resources (23:2, 4, 12), which Saul lacked. 23:1 Keilah was near Adullam (22:1) at the western edge of Judah, not far from the Philistine border (see Josh 15:44; Neh 3:17-18).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine שָׁסָה (shâçâh, H8154) — to plunder גֹּרֶן (gôren, H1637) — a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3373) — fearing; morally, reverent יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine מַעֲרָכָה (maʻărâkâh, H4634) — an arrangement; concretely, a pile; specifically a military array פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth נָהַג (nâhag, H5090) — to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to… מִקְנֶה (miqneh, H4735) — something bought, i.e. property, but only livestock; abstractly, acquisition נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent מַכָּה (makkâh, H4347) — a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗אֶבְיָתָר (ʼEbyâthâr, H54) — Ebjathar, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂchîymelek, H288) — Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite בָּרַח (bârach, H1272) — to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôwd, H646) — a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָכַר (nâkar, H5234) — properly, to scrutinize, i.e. look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor בְּרִיחַ (bᵉrîyach, H1280) — a bolt
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine צוּר (tsûwr, H6696) — to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively)
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֶבְיָתָר (ʼEbyâthâr, H54) — Ebjathar, an Israelite כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… אֵפוֹד (ʼêphôwd, H646) — a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in… קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in… קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… קְעִילָה (Qᵉʻîylâh, H7084) — Keilah, a place in Palestine הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites מָלַט (mâlaṭ, H4422) — properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness);… חָדַל (châdal, H2308) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
Open source ↗דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… מְצַד (mᵉtsad, H4679) — a fastness (as a covert of ambush) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) זִיף (Zîyph, H2128) — Ziph, the name of a place in Palestine; also of an Israelite שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—nine cities, along with their villages.
You will sow but not reap; you will press olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; you will tread grapes but not drink the wine.
They will eat the offspring of your livestock and the produce of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave you no grain or new wine or oil, no calves of your herds or lambs of your flocks, until they have caused you to perish.
A people you do not know will eat the produce of your land and of all your toil. All your days you will be oppressed and crushed.
then this is what I will do to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life. You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.
encamping against them as far as Gaza and destroying the produce of the land. They left Israel with no sustenance, neither sheep nor oxen nor donkeys.
Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.