1 Samuel 23:4

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.

Then David {H1732} enquired {H7592} of the LORD {H3068} yet again {H3254}. And the LORD {H3068} answered {H6030} him and said {H559}, Arise {H6965}, go down {H3381} to Keilah {H7084}; for I will deliver {H5414} the Philistines {H6430} into thine hand {H3027}.

David consulted ADONAI again; and ADONAI answered him, "Set out, and go down to Ke'ilah, because I will hand the P'lishtim over to you.

Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: β€œGo at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 23:4 finds David in a precarious position, fleeing from King Saul, yet still demonstrating his unwavering reliance on God amidst significant danger. This verse highlights David's consistent practice of seeking divine direction before making crucial decisions, a hallmark of his spiritual leadership.

Context

At this point in his life, David is an outlaw, relentlessly pursued by King Saul, who perceives him as a threat to his throne. Despite his own personal peril, David receives news that the Philistines are attacking Keilah, a city in Judah, and plundering its threshing floors. This act of aggression against his people prompts David to act. He had already enquired of the LORD once about going to Keilah, but his men, fearful of Saul and the Philistines, expressed apprehension, as seen in 1 Samuel 23:3. Their doubt or reluctance led David to seek divine counsel yet again, ensuring both his own conviction and the reassurance of his followers.

Key Themes

  • Persistent Prayer and Inquiry: David's repeated "enquired of the LORD" demonstrates a vital spiritual discipline. It shows that even when facing clear dangers or opposition from his own people, he prioritized God's will above all else, seeking confirmation and clarity.
  • God's Direct Guidance: The Lord's immediate and clear answer, "Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand," underscores God's active involvement in the lives of His faithful servants. God provides not just permission, but a specific command and a promise of victory.
  • Divine Promise of Deliverance: The assurance "I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand" is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and His commitment to protect His people. It transforms a risky military venture into a divinely ordained mission with guaranteed success.
  • Obedience and Trust: Despite the logical fears of his men, David's willingness to obey the Lord's specific instruction, trusting in the promise of victory, exemplifies profound faith.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "enquired of the LORD" (Hebrew: sha'al, שאל) signifies a formal and earnest seeking of divine counsel, often through priestly means like the Urim and Thummim (which David likely used via Abiathar, the priest who joined him earlier). It’s not merely asking a question but seeking an oracle or direct word from God, highlighting the solemnity and importance David placed on hearing from the Lord.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today. Like David, we are called to consistently and earnestly seek God's will in our lives, especially when facing difficult decisions or uncertain circumstances. Even when others doubt or when the path seems perilous, God's clear guidance brings peace and confidence. The narrative encourages us to trust God's promises of deliverance and protection, knowing that when He commands, He also provides the means and the victory. This scene underscores the profound importance of acknowledging God in all our ways, allowing Him to direct our paths and lead us to triumph over our challenges.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 7:7

    And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the [other] people go every man unto his place.

  • Joshua 8:7

    Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.

  • Judges 6:39

    And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

  • 2 Samuel 5:19

    And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

  • 2 Kings 3:18

    And this is [but] a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.

  • 1 Samuel 28:6

    And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
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