TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
David consulted ADONAI, asking, "Should I go and attack these P'lishtim?"ADONAI answered David, "Go, and attack the P'lishtim, and save Ke'ilah."
Berean Standard Bible
So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
American Standard Version
Therefore David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And Jehovah said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
World English Bible Messianic
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and strike these Philistines?” The LORD said to David, “Go strike the Philistines, and save Keilah.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therfore Dauid asked counsel of the Lord, saying, Shal I goe and smite these Philistims? And the Lord answered Dauid, Go and smite the Philistims, and saue Keilah.
Young's Literal Translation
And David asketh at Jehovah, saying, `Do I go? --and have I smitten among these Philistines?' And Jehovah saith unto David, `Go, and thou hast smitten among the Philistines, and saved Keilah.'
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Samuel 23 verses 1–6
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.
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.
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 considered as they deserved for the services they have done. 2. Of David's piety and regard to God. He enquired of the Lord by the prophet Gad; for it should seem (by Sa1 23:6) that Abiathar came not to him with the ephod till he was in Keilah. His enquiry is, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? He enquires both concerning the duty (whether he might lawfully take Saul's work out of his hand, and act without a commission from him) and concerning the event, whether he might safely venture against such a force as the Philistines had with such a handful of men at his feet, and such a dangerous enemy as Saul was at his back. It is our duty, and will be our case and comfort, whatever happens, to acknowledge God in all our ways and to seek direction from him.
III. God appointed him once and again to go against the Philistines, and promised him success: Go, and smite the Philistines, Sa1 23:2. His men opposed it, Sa1 23:3. No sooner did he begin to have soldiers of his own than he found it hard enough to manage them. They objected that they had enemies enough among their own countrymen, they needed not to make the Philistines their enemies. Their hearts failed them when they only apprehended themselves in danger from Saul's band of pursuers, much more when they came to engage the Philistine-armies. To satisfy them, therefore, he enquired of the Lord again, and now received, not only a full commission, which would warrant him to fight though he had no orders from Saul (Arise, go down to Keilah), but also a full assurance of victory: I will deliver the Philistines into thy hand, Sa1 23:4. This was enough to animate the greatest coward he had in his regiment.
IV. He went accordingly against the Philistines, routed them, and rescued Keilah, (Sa1 23:5), and it should seem he made a sally into the country of the Philistines, for he carried off their cattle by way of reprisal for the wrong they did to the men of Keilah in robbing their threshing-floors. Here notice is taken (Sa1 23:6) that it was while David remained in Keilah, after he had cleared it of the Philistines, that Abiathar came to him with the ephod in his hand, that is, the high priest's ephod, in which the urim and thummin were. It was a great comfort to David, in his banishment, that when he could not go to the house of God he had some of the choicest treasures of that house brought to him, the high priest and his breast-plate of judgment.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–6. Public domain.
Copy as
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
Shall I go and strike these Philistines? etc. Because David almost always in the Scriptures, when taken mystically, signifies the Lord Christ, but sometimes in his members, sometimes in himself; rightly at this place, where he consulted the Lord whether he should attack and conquer the enemies, it is understood to be referred to the person of his members, that is, his faithful ones, who sometimes, sorrowful over the known destruction of the faithless by those close to them, consulting the oracles of divine Scripture, inquire what should be done about these things. For also above, where it is announced to the same David that Keilah is being attacked by the Philistines, it can not unreasonably signify that any of the faithful often show the dangers of temptations in the world to equally more perfect faithful ones of Christ, perceiving that they themselves are not sufficient to overcome them. Indeed, those more perfect and strong-handed teachers of the Churches, immediately scrutinizing the testimonies of the Scriptures, find that they must have compassion and succor the oppressed, and by breaking the effort of the malign spirits, discover that the crowd suffering from long temptation is to be saved; but to the often fearful weaker ones due to imminent persecution, the reading of divine words, once consulted, promptly reveals that they should not fear those who kill the body (Matt. X), but rise from their sloth by doing the right, going to the oppressed by preaching useful things, and conquering the oppressors by exorcizing. For there are those who, under the threat of persecutions, scarcely dare to openly profess the faith with which they have been imbued; how much less do they presume to undertake the war against the legions of malign spirits by calling others to the faith or by solidifying them in the faith? And what does it signify, typically, when the men of David say to him: Behold, here in Judea we are afraid, how much more if we go to Keilah against the legions of the Philistines? unless it is the fearful response of the weak listeners to the spiritual teachers preparing themselves for the work of the word: Behold, within the domestic walls of the Church we fear to freely defend the confession of the paternal faith, which Judea signifies; how much more, if we go to those who have either never known the way of truth, or have deserted it having known it, instructing them with the word of salvation, shall we not unquestionably expose ourselves to greater dangers by beginning to challenge the powers of the air in battle? But the Lord does not omit to raise their weakness and fear by the frequent words of His Gospel, and to strengthen them with the confidence in prayer. And this is what follows: For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John XVI).
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 1 Samuel 23:2 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
1 Samuel 23:2 powerfully illustrates David's unwavering commitment to divine guidance amidst profound personal peril, revealing his character as a leader who consistently prioritizes God's will and the welfare of His people above self-preservation. Despite being a fugitive from King Saul, David consults the LORD regarding the Philistine threat to Keilah, receiving a clear command to intervene, which underscores God's active involvement in the affairs of His chosen servants and His profound compassion for Israel.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage effectively employs Contrast by juxtaposing David's consistent and earnest inquiry of the LORD with King Saul's increasing spiritual alienation and ultimate failure to seek God's will. This highlights David's character as a man after God's own heart, even in his outlaw status, and underscores the spiritual decline of Saul. The narrative also features clear Divine Dialogue, presenting a direct, unmediated communication between God and David, which emphasizes God's personal involvement and His accessibility to those who genuinely seek Him. Furthermore, there is an element of Foreshadowing in David's role as a deliverer of God's people from their enemies, which anticipates his future role as king and the ultimate deliverer, the Messiah, who would come from his lineage. The Irony of an outlaw acting more righteously and effectively for the welfare of Israel than the reigning king is also subtly present.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 23:2 profoundly illustrates the indispensable nature of seeking divine guidance in all aspects of life, particularly when faced with significant decisions or moral dilemmas. It underscores God's character as a compassionate, sovereign, and communicative Lord who is intimately involved in the lives of His people and desires their well-being. David's example teaches that true leadership, even in its nascent and unconventional forms, is rooted in humble dependence on God's wisdom and authority, rather than human strength or strategic acumen. This passage affirms that God not only hears but also responds, providing clear direction to those who genuinely seek His will, thereby empowering them to act in faith for His purposes and the good of others.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's immediate turn to the LORD in 1 Samuel 23:2 offers a timeless blueprint for navigating life's complexities and crises. In an age where self-reliance and immediate gratification often dictate decisions, David's example calls us to pause, humble ourselves, and prioritize seeking God's counsel above all else. This isn't merely about asking for advice, but about a deep-seated trust that God's wisdom is superior to our own, and His plans are ultimately for our good and the good of those around us. Furthermore, the passage challenges us to consider our willingness to obey God's clear commands, even when they involve personal risk, inconvenience, or stepping outside our comfort zones, as David did in facing the Philistines and exposing himself to Saul's pursuit. Our faith is truly tested not just in seeking, but in the subsequent act of obedience, trusting that God will provide the necessary strength and protection to accomplish His purposes.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
How did David inquire of the LORD in this instance?
Answer: While the specific method isn't explicitly detailed in this verse, the phrase "enquired of the LORD" typically refers to a formal consultation, most commonly through priestly means. In David's case, this would involve Abiathar, the priest who had joined him, utilizing the ephod which contained the Urim and Thummim (see Abiathar Brings the Ephod to David). These were sacred lots used to discern God's will by yielding a "yes" or "no" answer, or providing clear direction, as seen here. It was a recognized and legitimate way for the leader of Israel to receive divine oracle.
Why was Keilah important enough for David to risk his life and his men's lives?
Answer: Keilah was a fortified city in the territory of Judah, David's own tribe. The Philistines were plundering its threshing floors, which meant they were destroying the city's food supply and livelihood, effectively starving the inhabitants. For David, even as a fugitive, the welfare of God's people was paramount. His willingness to defend Keilah demonstrated his commitment to his people and his future role as their shepherd-king, contrasting sharply with Saul's self-centered reign. It was an act of faith and compassion, trusting God to protect him even as he acted to protect others. This aligns with the broader narrative of David's heart for God's people.
What does this verse tell us about God's character?
Answer: This verse reveals several key aspects of God's character. Firstly, it shows His active involvement in human affairs and His compassion for the suffering of His people. He hears their cries (implied by the Philistine attack) and provides a means of deliverance. Secondly, it highlights His faithfulness to His chosen servants, like David, providing clear guidance and empowering them to fulfill His purposes. Thirdly, it underscores His sovereignty, as He directs human actions to achieve His will, even using an outlawed leader to bring salvation. God is not distant but intimately concerned and actively engaged in the lives of those who seek Him, as He promised in Jeremiah 29:13.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 23:2, with David inquiring of the LORD and being sent to "save Keilah," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ. David, though flawed, acts as a type of the Messiah, putting his life at risk to rescue God's people from their enemies. Just as David sought and received divine instruction to undertake a dangerous mission of salvation, so too did Jesus perfectly embody obedience to His Father's will. From the very beginning, Jesus' mission was to save his people from their sins. He consistently declared that His will was perfectly aligned with the Father's, stating, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but to do the will of him who sent me" (Jesus' Will is the Father's Will). Unlike David, who inquired and then obeyed, Jesus, as the Son, perfectly knew and perfectly executed the Father's redemptive plan, even to the point of death on a cross. He is the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!, the one who learned obedience through what he suffered, ultimately accomplishing salvation not just for a city, but for all humanity, delivering us from the ultimate enemy, sin and death. His deliverance is eternal, securing us from the power of darkness and transferring us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).