King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
Complete Jewish Bible:
So Sha'ul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Ke'ilah and besiege David and his men.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.
American Standard Version:
And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Saul{H7586} called{H8085} all the people{H5971} together{H8085} to war{H4421}, to go down{H3381} to Keilah{H7084}, to besiege{H6696} David{H1732} and his men{H582}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Samuel 23:8
1 Samuel 23:8 is set within the broader narrative of King Saul's relentless pursuit of David, who has been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be Saul's successor. This verse captures a moment of escalation in Saul's campaign against David, who has gained popularity among the people and has been acknowledged as a future king. The verse specifically mentions Saul's decision to gather all his forces to lay siege to the city of Keilah, where David and his men had taken refuge.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the transition of power between Saul, the first king of Israel, and David, who is destined to take his place. Saul's kingship has been marked by disobedience to God's commands, leading to the Lord's rejection of him as king. In contrast, David, despite being on the run and facing adversity, is depicted as a man after God's own heart. The tension between these two figures is a central theme of the books of 1 Samuel.
In 1 Samuel 23:8, the theme of conflict and divine providence is evident. Saul's determination to eliminate David, whom he sees as a threat to his throne, drives him to extreme measures. However, David's trust in God's protection and guidance is a recurring motif throughout his life. This verse underscores the human political drama unfolding, with Saul mustering his army, juxtaposed against the spiritual backdrop of God's sovereign plan for David's rise to kingship. The siege of Keilah is one of many instances where Saul attempts to thwart God's will, only to be met with David's resourcefulness and God's deliverance. This event highlights the contrast between human schemes and divine providence, a theme that resonates throughout the historical books of the Bible.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7586
There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאוּל
Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul. - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H4421
There are 308 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִלְחָמָה
Transliteration: milchâmâh
Pronunciation: mil-khaw-maw'
Description: from לָחַם (in the sense of fighting); a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare); battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). - Strong's Number: H3381
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרַד
Transliteration: yârad
Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. - Strong's Number: H7084
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קְעִילָה
Transliteration: Qᵉʻîylâh
Pronunciation: keh-ee-law'
Description: perhaps from קָלַע in the sense of enclosing; citadel; Keilah, a place in Palestine; Keilah. - Strong's Number: H6696
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צוּר
Transliteration: tsûwr
Pronunciation: tsoor
Description: a primitive root; to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile); adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind (up), cast, distress, fashion, fortify, inclose, lay siege, put up in bags. - Strong's Number: H1732
There are 911 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּוִד
Transliteration: Dâvid
Pronunciation: daw-veed'
Description: rarely (fully); דָּוִיד; from the same as דּוֹד; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse; David. - Strong's Number: H582
There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
Pronunciation: en-oshe'
Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.