TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
David and his men went to Ke'ilah and fought the P'lishtim. They defeated them in a great slaughter and led away their livestock. Thus David saved the inhabitants of Ke'ilah.
Berean Standard Bible
Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah.
American Standard Version
And David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and slew them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
World English Bible Messianic
David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their livestock, and killed them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
Geneva Bible (1599)
So Dauid and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistims, and brought away their cattel, and smote them with a great slaughter: thus Dauid saued the inhabitants of Keilah.
Young's Literal Translation
And David goeth, and his men, to Keilah, and fighteth with the Philistines, and leadeth away their cattle, and smiteth among them--a great smiting, and David saveth the inhabitants of Keilah.
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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.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
David and his men went to Keilah, etc. The Lord went in His preachers to heal the brokenhearted, and fought against the spirits of falsehood and perfidy, revealing the light of truth and faith, and drove them away from the souls of the redeemed by just separation, in whom they had previously tightly reined in with the bridle of error, as if riding over them, and subjecting them to their own power and domain, used to more effectively and powerfully ravage and subjugate others, and cause them to be anathematized with a great curse. Thus indeed He saved them, who recently avoiding their tentations, earnestly sought His protection. These things were often done from the beginning of the nascent Church, and there is almost no one who doubts that they are done daily through places.
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.
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SUMMARY
This verse vividly portrays David's decisive and divinely empowered act of deliverance for the city of Keilah, a crucial demonstration of his character and God's unwavering faithfulness amidst his precarious flight from King Saul. Despite his own status as a hunted fugitive, David, having diligently sought and received God's explicit counsel, courageously led his band of men in a swift and overwhelming victory over the Philistines, who were mercilessly plundering the city. This selfless intervention not only secured the safety and livelihood of Keilah's inhabitants but also powerfully established David's emerging role as a protector of Israel, even before his anointing as king.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. Hyperbole is evident in the phrase "smote them with a great slaughter," which, while likely reflecting a substantial victory, also serves to emphasize the overwhelming nature of the defeat and implicitly, the divine power behind it. This phrasing suggests a victory so complete and devastating that it bordered on annihilation for the Philistines. This phrase also functions as a form of Repetition or echo of a common biblical motif where God grants a decisive and often miraculous victory to His chosen one against seemingly insurmountable odds, recalling earlier triumphs of Israel under divine leadership. Furthermore, the narrative presents a profound Irony: David, a fugitive hunted by his own king, is the one who steps forward to courageously defend an Israelite city when the reigning monarch, Saul, is conspicuously absent or unwilling to act. This ironic contrast powerfully highlights David's legitimate claim to leadership and his genuine heart for the people of Israel, even as he is unjustly persecuted as an enemy of the state.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 23:5 profoundly illustrates the timeless theological principle that courageous obedience to God's specific direction, even when it demands personal sacrifice and considerable risk, inevitably leads to divine empowerment and success. David's selfless act of delivering Keilah, despite his own precarious circumstances as a hunted fugitive, powerfully showcases his character as a leader who consistently prioritizes the welfare of God's people over his personal safety or convenience. This episode deeply reinforces God's unwavering faithfulness to His chosen instruments, demonstrating His sovereign ability to use seemingly unlikely means—a fugitive and his band of outcasts—to bring about His righteous purposes of justice and deliverance for His covenant people. It also serves as a potent foreshadowing of David's future role as the shepherd-king, divinely appointed to protect, provide for, and lead Israel, standing in stark contrast to Saul's increasingly self-absorbed, disobedient, and ultimately ineffective rule.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The compelling account of David at Keilah serves as a powerful and enduring reminder that true leadership, particularly in a spiritual and moral sense, is fundamentally characterized by selfless service, an unwavering reliance on divine guidance, and courageous action in the face of daunting adversity. In our own lives, we are frequently called to step out in faith, to act decisively on God's leading even when the path appears uncertain, dangerous, or when it requires us to prioritize the needs of others above our own comfort or safety. David's diligent and repeated inquiry of the Lord, even when his men were gripped by fear, teaches us the vital and indispensable importance of fervent prayer and diligently seeking God's specific will through His Word before making significant decisions. This narrative profoundly encourages us to trust implicitly that God is faithful to deliver and empower us for the specific tasks He calls us to, even when we feel entirely ill-equipped, vulnerable, or overwhelmed by circumstances. It challenges us to prayerfully consider where we might be called to be agents of deliverance, protection, or justice in our families, churches, and communities, relying not on our own limited strength, but solely on the Lord's infinite power and wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did David, a fugitive, risk his life for Keilah?
Answer: David's decision to risk his life and the lives of his men for the city of Keilah, despite being a hunted fugitive from King Saul, was rooted in several profound factors. Primarily, it was a direct act of courageous obedience to the Lord's explicit command. David, demonstrating his deep spiritual reliance, twice inquired of God through the ephod (as seen in 1 Samuel 23:2 and 1 Samuel 23:4), and each time God unequivocally affirmed that he should go and deliver Keilah. This highlights David's hallmark characteristic: his profound dependence on divine guidance. Furthermore, it powerfully underscored his true heart for Israel and his inherent role as a divinely appointed protector of God's people, even before his official anointing as king. Unlike Saul, who was increasingly failing to defend his people from their enemies, David bravely stepped into this leadership vacuum, showcasing his legitimate claim to the throne and his unwavering commitment to justice and the welfare of the Israelites. His actions were a powerful testament to his unwavering faith and his divine calling.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The compelling narrative of David's deliverance of Keilah, while a powerful testament to his exemplary character and God's unwavering faithfulness, ultimately points beyond David himself to the greater and ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ. David, in his role as a shepherd-king who courageously risked his very life for his flock, serves as a profound type of Christ, the Good Shepherd who willingly lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). Just as David "saved" the inhabitants of Keilah from physical oppression, plunder, and imminent danger, Jesus Christ provides ultimate spiritual salvation, delivering humanity from the pervasive bondage of sin and the eternal dominion of death (Romans 6:23). David's obedient response to God's command to fight the Philistines powerfully foreshadows Christ's perfect and unparalleled obedience to the Father's will, even to the agonizing point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). The "great slaughter" inflicted upon the Philistines by David's hand can be seen as a shadow of Christ's decisive and cosmic victory over the powers of darkness, evil, and spiritual principalities, a triumph that secures eternal deliverance and freedom for all who place their faith in Him (Colossians 2:15). Thus, David's heroic act at Keilah is not merely a historical event but a rich prophetic echo, revealing the very heart of God for His people and pointing with profound clarity to the ultimate act of deliverance accomplished by the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.