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1 Samuel 23

1

Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.

2

Therefore David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.

3

And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?

4

Then David enquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

2
5

So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

6

And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

7

And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.

8

And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

9

And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

1
10

Then said David, O Lord God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

11

Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O Lord God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the Lord said, He will come down.

12

Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the Lord said, They will deliver thee up.

13

Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.

14

And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

15

And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

2
16

And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

17

And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

18

And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

1
19

Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

20

Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.

21

And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me.

22

Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.

23

See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

24

And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

25

Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

26

And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

27

But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

28

Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela–hammahlekoth.

29

And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at En–gedi.

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1 Samuel 23

David delivers the city of Keilah from Philistine raiders, yet learns through the ephod (consulted by Abiathar) that the men of Keilah will betray him to Saul (23:10-13)—a betrayal that drives him back into the wilderness, hunted by Saul's forces. Saul pursues David relentlessly, and Jonathan secretly meets David in the wilderness and renews their covenant, reassuring him: 'My father Saul will not lay his hand on you...you will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you' (23:17-18)—a stunning affirmation that Jonathan recognizes and accepts David's destiny. The Ziphites inform Saul of David's location (23:19-20), yet when Saul and David are in the same canyon, an urgent message of a Philistine invasion forces Saul to abandon his pursuit (23:27-28)—a providential intervention suggesting the LORD's protection of David. The chapter shows David's growing isolation and hunted status offset by his covenantal relationships (with Jonathan, with those who gather to him) and by divine deliverance through circumstances beyond his control; his patience and trust in the LORD contrast sharply with Saul's increasingly unstable pursuit.

1 Samuel 23:12

And the LORD said, He will come down — the LORD's affirmation (*va'yomer YHWH yered*) confirms both Saul's approach and the residents' betrayal. The *hineh yimkerucha, they will surely deliver you, makes clear that Keilah, despite David's rescue, will not protect him.

1 Samuel 23:19

And David knew it and arose — the parenthetical *David yada*, David knew it, indicates David's recognition of the significance of Jonathan's visit, the confirmation of his destined kingship. The *va'yaqum*, and arose, suggests his spiritual strengthening, the renewal of courage through covenant affirmation.

1 Samuel 23:1

Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors — the report (*va'yomru le'David le'mor hineh Philishim nilchamim b'Keilah v'shashu et ha'gorenot*) brings news of Philistine aggression against Keilah. The *v'shashu et ha'gorenot* (robbing the threshing floors) suggests economic devastation, the seizure of harvest.

1 Samuel 23:2

Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and attack these Philistines? — David's *va'yishal David et YHWH le'mor ha'elechu v'hikaiti et Philishim ha'eleh*, inquired of the LORD, shows his dependence on divine guidance. The consultation with the ephod (through the priest Abiathar) represents David's piety, his refusal to act without seeking the LORD's direction.

1 Samuel 23:3

And the LORD said to David, Go, and you shall smite the Philistines and save Keilah — the LORD's response (*va'yomer YHWH el David lechi v'hikaita et Philishim v'hatzalta et Keilah*) commands David to fight, promising victory. The dual purpose—*v'hatzalta*, save—frames the conflict as rescue, the restoration of Keilah to Israelite protection.

1 Samuel 23:4

But David's men said to him, Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? — David's followers (*anshey David va'yomru alav hineh nachnau yireim kodesh b'Yehuda*) express fear, doubting the wisdom of marching against Philistine forces. Their fear is reasonable; they are an untrained band, not an organized army. Yet their fear contradicts the LORD's assurance.

1 Samuel 23:5

Then David inquired of the LORD yet again — David's renewed consultation (*va'yosaf David lishol et YHWH*) seeks divine confirmation in the face of his followers' fear. The repetition suggests David's piety, his willingness to seek reassurance when confidence wavers.

1 Samuel 23:6

And the LORD answered him, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will give the Philistines into your hand — the LORD's reaffirmation (*va'yomer lo YHWH qum red Keilah ki notein et Philishim b'yadecha*) strengthens the original command. The *red*, go down, suggests movement toward the threatened city, descent from the highlands to the valley where Keilah lies.

1 Samuel 23:7

And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock, and smote them with a great slaughter — David's *va'yetzet David v'anshe... va'yelagach ba'Philishim v'nasa et michnehem* (brought away their livestock and smote them with great slaughter) demonstrates both military success and economic recovery. The *vayak'am nega gadol* (great slaughter) suggests comprehensive victory, the routing of the Philistine force.

1 Samuel 23:8

Thus David saved Keilah — David's *va'yatzil David et yoshvey Keilah* (saved Keilah) fulfills the LORD's promise; the city is rescued from Philistine predation. David's action establishes him not merely as a warrior but as a deliverer, one who rescues Israel's cities from foreign threat.

1 Samuel 23:9

Now David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him — David's perception (*David yada ki Shaul yatzav alav raat*) recognizes the danger posed by his own benefactor, the king who now regards him as rival. The verb *yatzav*, plotted, suggests deliberate intention, calculated malice.

1 Samuel 23:10

And David said, O LORD, God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city on my account — David's prayer (*va'yomer David YHWH elohey Yisrael shamoa shama avdecha ki mevaqesh Shaul lavo el Keilah la'abbit et ha'ir ba'ashech*) explicitly requests information: is Saul truly coming? The *la'abbit et ha'ir ba'ashech*, to destroy the city on my account, recognizes that David's presence in Keilah has made the city a target, that his protection of the city may bring its destruction.

1 Samuel 23:11

Will the men of Keilah hand me over into his hand? Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? — David's dual question seeks confirmation of Saul's intentions and the loyalty of Keilah's citizens. The *yimkerunim Saul et yadav*, will they hand me over, expresses David's uncertainty about whether the rescued city will prove loyal or willing to betray him to save themselves.

1 Samuel 23:13

Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah — David's *va'yaqum David v'anshe... kish maot ish (about six hundred men) withdraw from Keilah, departing before Saul's arrival. The number has grown from the four hundred who gathered at Adullam; David's army is expanding even as his security diminishes.

1 Samuel 23:14

And they went wherever they could go; and Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand — David's *vayyit halach ha'misharim*, wandering from place to place, indicates a peripatetic fugitive existence, constant movement to avoid capture. The *va'Saul bivqash kol yom*, Saul sought him every day, shows relentless pursuit. Yet the *v'YHWH lo natan oto b'yado*, God did not give him into his hand, assures that despite the hunting, David remains protected.

1 Samuel 23:15

And David knew that Saul had come out to seek his life — David's certainty (*David yada ki Saul yatzah lekahesh et nafsho*) acknowledges the deadly nature of the pursuit; Saul intends not merely capture but death.

1 Samuel 23:16

And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David in the wood and strengthened his hand in God — Jonathan's appearance (*va'yaqum Yehonatan ben Shaul va'yetzet el David ha'ya'ar va'yeched et yado be'Elohim*) in the *ya'ar* (forest) provides spiritual encouragement. The verb *yeched*, strengthened, suggests the restoration of courage and faith; Jonathan becomes the agent through whom divine encouragement reaches David.

1 Samuel 23:17

And he said to him, Do not be afraid; for the hand of Saul my father will not find you — Jonathan's assurance (*al tira ki lo timtzaeyka yad Shaul avi*) reaffirms protection, repeating the covenant promise. His *v'atah tihyeh melekh al Yisrael*, you will be king over Israel, makes explicit the prophecy that has been implicit throughout: David is destined for kingship.

1 Samuel 23:18

And you shall be king over Israel, and I will be next to you — Jonathan's *v'ani ehyeh mishneh lecha*, I will be next to you, repeats his earlier acceptance of a secondary role, his renunciation of kingship to serve David. Their covenant is renewed in the *yaar*, the wilderness, far from the palace, suggesting that their true loyalty transcends the institutions of Saul's court.

1 Samuel 23:20

And they made a covenant before the LORD; and David remained in the wood, and Jonathan went to his home — the *va'yikratu berit lipnei YHWH*, they made a covenant, formalizes the relationship in the wilderness. David's continued *va'yeshev David ba'ya'ar*, remained in the wood, contrasts with Jonathan's return home, their paths diverging once more.

1 Samuel 23:21

And the Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, Is not David hiding with us in the strongholds in the wood of Ziph, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert? — the betrayal (*va'ya'alu Ziphim el Shaul Gibahtah le'mor ha'lo David nistar imanu ba'mtzudot ba'ya'ar Ziph*) represents David's own people—the Ziphites are Judahites—reporting his location to the king. The geographical specificity—the *ya'ar Ziph*, wood of Ziph; *gib'at Hakilah*, hill of Hachilah—provides detailed intelligence, a guide for Saul's hunting.

1 Samuel 23:22

Now therefore, come down, according to all the desire of your soul, and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand — the Ziphites' offer (*v'atah red l'khol ta'avat naphsh'cha v'al yadi ye'irot lo ve'nachtim et ha'melekh*) promises delivery of David to Saul, the betrayal complete. The *ve'nachtim et hamelekh*, deliver to the king, is the completion of treachery.

1 Samuel 23:23

And Saul said, Blessed are you by the LORD — Saul's blessing (*ve'Saul va'yomer baruchim atem le'YHWH*) thanks the Ziphites for their intelligence, invoking divine approval on their treachery. Yet the blessing is ironically undercut by what follows: Saul's hunting will fail, his chase will be interrupted by Philistine invasion.

1 Samuel 23:24

Go now, and make sure of the place where his haunt is — Saul's *levchu na v'kinnu od*, go and make sure, commands further reconnaissance, a determination of the precise location where David conceals himself.

1 Samuel 23:25

And they went down to the wilderness of Ziph in search of him — the Ziphite search (*va'yalhbu el midbar Ziph lefanav*, they went down to search) represents active pursuit, the mobilization of local knowledge against David.

1 Samuel 23:26

And Saul and his men went to seek him; and word was brought to David, and he went down to the rock and remained in the wilderness of Maon — David's *va'yetzet David el ha'sela va'yesheb ba'midbar Ma'on* (went down to the rock, remained in the wilderness of Maon) represents another withdrawal, a further fugitive retreat. The rock (*sela*) becomes another refuge, another place of temporary hiding.

1 Samuel 23:27

And when Saul heard it, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon — Saul's pursuit (*Saul va'yishmac va'yirdof acharey David midbar Ma'on*) continues relentlessly, Saul's hunting dogs drawn toward their prey. The wilderness becomes a hunting ground, David and Saul locked in a chase through Israel's wild spaces.

1 Samuel 23:28

And behold, a messenger came to Saul, saying, Haste, and come; for the Philistines have made a raid on the land — the *mal'ach ba Shaul le'mor maharem v'lech ki parashu Philishim al ha'aretz* (a messenger came, saying, hasten, for the Philistines have raided) brings news that interrupts the chase. Philistine invasion breaks Saul's concentration, forces him to withdraw from pursuit. The timing is providential; at the moment when capture seems imminent, external threat forces Saul to abandon the hunt.

1 Samuel 23:29

Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David and went against the Philistines — Saul's *va'yasav Shaul miradom David va'yetzet liqrat Philishim* (returned from pursuing David and went against the Philistines) shows his divided attention, his inability to maintain focus on David while facing external threat. Yet this represents a reprieve for David, the first of several times that Philistine invasion will save him from Saul's vendetta.