1 Samuel 23:7

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was told {H5046} Saul {H7586} that David {H1732} was come {H935} to Keilah {H7084}. And Saul {H7586} said {H559}, God {H430} hath delivered {H5234} him into mine hand {H3027}; for he is shut in {H5462}, by entering {H935} into a town {H5892} that hath gates {H1817} and bars {H1280}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now Sha'ul, on being informed that David had gone to Ke'ilah, had said, "God has put him into my hands. He's trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars."

Berean Standard Bible

When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 23:7 marks a pivotal moment in King Saul's relentless pursuit of David, vividly illustrating Saul's profound spiritual delusion and desperate obsession. Upon receiving intelligence that David had entered Keilah, a fortified city, Saul immediately interprets this strategic development as a direct act of divine intervention, believing God has "delivered" David into his grasp. This verse powerfully reveals Saul's tragically warped perception of God's will, setting the stage for a dramatic display of divine providence that will ultimately frustrate his malevolent intentions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows David's selfless and divinely guided rescue of Keilah's inhabitants from a Philistine attack. David undertook this perilous mission only after twice seeking and receiving confirmation from the Lord through the ephod, as recorded in [1 Samuel 23:2](/1_samuel/23-2 "1 Samuel 23:2 - David Inquires of the Lord Before Rescuing Keilah") and [1 Samuel 23:4](/1_samuel/23-4 "1 Samuel 23:4 - David's Second Inquiry and God's Affirmation"). David's consistent reliance on divine counsel and his compassionate actions stand in stark contrast to Saul's increasingly self-serving agenda and his tragic disregard for God's revealed will. The narrative then proceeds to highlight David's continued dependence on God's guidance as he discerns the impending treachery of the men of Keilah ([1 Samuel 23:10-12](/1_samuel/23-10-12 "1 Samuel 23:10-12 - David's Inquiry About Keilah's Betrayal")), which ultimately leads to his miraculous escape from the very trap Saul believed was divinely set. This sequence powerfully underscores the overarching theme of God's unwavering protection and faithfulness toward His anointed.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Saul's reign and David's subsequent flight was characterized by significant political instability, internal strife, and persistent external threats, particularly from the Philistines. Fortified cities like Keilah, with their robust "gates and bars," were strategically vital strongholds, serving as essential defensive refuges for populations and military outposts against invaders. For David, a military leader, to enter such a city, especially after having just defended it, seemed a logical and prudent tactical move. However, from Saul's perspective, David's entry into a walled city was a grave tactical error, as it presented an opportunity for siege warfare, where a fortified city could become an inescapable death trap if surrounded and cut off. Saul's belief that David was "shut in" reflects the common ancient military strategy of containment and siege, highlighting the harsh realities of warfare and the critical importance of secure locations, which Saul sought to exploit for his personal vendetta against David.

* **Key Themes:** The verse profoundly contributes to several central themes within the book of 1 Samuel. Foremost is **Saul's deepening spiritual delusion and his rejection by God**. His declaration, "God hath delivered him into mine hand," is a chilling misinterpretation of divine will, revealing the extent of his spiritual decline and how far he has fallen from God's favor since his initial anointing ([1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Saul's Anointing")). This stands in stark contrast to **God's unwavering providence and protection over David**, His chosen king, despite the seemingly insurmountable odds and Saul's relentless human schemes. Saul's human calculations and military advantages are consistently thwarted by divine intervention, illustrating that God's sovereign plan for David's ascension to the throne cannot be frustrated by any human opposition. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **nature of unjust persecution**, as Saul's obsessive and irrational hatred drives him to extreme measures, even twisting spiritual language and divine attribution to justify his malicious intentions against the innocent and God-fearing David, who consistently seeks the Lord's will, as seen throughout [1 Samuel 23](/1_samuel/23 "1 Samuel 23 - David's Deliverance from Saul").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Delivered (Hebrew, _nâkar'_):** The Hebrew verb נָכַר (_nâkar_) primarily means "to scrutinize," "to look intently at," and by implication, "to acknowledge," "to discern," or conversely, "to disregard," "to ignore," or "to be strange toward." Saul's immediate declaration, "God hath delivered him into mine hand," is a profound misapplication of this term. While the KJV translates it as "delivered," Saul's use here reflects his *perception* that God has *recognized* and *handed over* David to him. This reveals Saul's spiritual blindness; he believes God is actively *discerning* and *acting* on his behalf, when in reality, Saul is failing to *discern* God's true will for David. His interpretation is a tragic projection of his own desires onto divine action, indicative of his deep spiritual estrangement from God.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** The Hebrew noun יָד (_yâd_) refers literally to the "hand" but is used with immense latitude to signify power, authority, means, control, or possession. When Saul says, "God hath delivered him into mine hand," he is expressing his conviction that David is now completely within his sphere of influence, under his control, and at his mercy. This word underscores Saul's perception of his own power and authority, which he believes has been divinely affirmed. It highlights his focus on human means and control, contrasting sharply with God's ultimate sovereignty which operates beyond human "hands."
* **Shut in (Hebrew, _çâgar'_):** The Hebrew verb סָגַר (_çâgar_) means "to shut up," "to close," "to imprison," or figuratively, "to surrender." Saul's assessment that David is "shut in" emphasizes the perceived impregnability of Keilah's defenses, which he believes now work *against* David, effectively trapping him. From a military standpoint, David, having entered a walled city, is confined within its boundaries, making escape difficult if besieged. This word highlights Saul's strategic thinking and his reliance on physical barriers, but also his failure to account for God's ability to open what man has shut, or to provide an escape where human logic sees none.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah."**: This opening clause establishes the immediate context, highlighting the efficiency of Saul's intelligence network. Saul's obsessive pursuit of David meant that any reliable information about David's whereabouts was swiftly conveyed to him. The news of David's presence in a specific, known, and fortified location like Keilah was highly significant, as David had previously been constantly on the move in the wilderness, making him difficult to track. This intelligence confirms David's location, shifting the dynamic from a fluid chase to a potential siege.
* **"And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand;"**: This is the pivotal declaration of the verse, revealing the depth of Saul's spiritual delusion and his interpretive framework. He immediately attributes David's presence in Keilah to divine action, believing God has actively "given" David over to him. This statement is laden with profound dramatic irony, as Saul's interpretation is entirely contrary to God's actual will and plan for David. It showcases Saul's spiritual arrogance, his self-serving theology, and his tragic tendency to project his own malicious desires onto God's supposed actions, a hallmark of his apostasy and a clear sign of his rejection by God.
* **"for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars."**: This clause provides the rationale for Saul's conviction, rooted in military strategy and human logic. He views David's entry into a fortified city as a tactical blunder that has effectively trapped him. The description "a town that hath gates and bars" emphasizes its defensive strength and the perceived impossibility of escape, which Saul believes now serves as an inescapable prison for David. This highlights Saul's reliance on physical barriers and human calculations, failing to consider the divine intervention that has consistently protected David and will continue to do so, demonstrating that God's power transcends any human fortification.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Samuel 23:7 is **Dramatic Irony**. Saul declares with absolute conviction, "God hath delivered him into mine hand," believing divine providence is unequivocally on his side. However, the reader possesses superior knowledge, having been informed in previous chapters (e.g., [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection") and [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing")) that God has decisively rejected Saul as king and has already anointed David as his successor. Thus, Saul's statement is tragically ironic, as God is actively protecting David *from* Saul, not delivering David *to* Saul. This irony powerfully underscores Saul's profound spiritual blindness and the vast chasm between his distorted perception of God's will and the divine reality. Furthermore, there is a clear element of **Foreshadowing**, as Saul's confident assertion that David is "shut in" sets the narrative stage for David's subsequent miraculous escape, demonstrating unequivocally that God's protective hand cannot be thwarted by human fortifications or schemes. The verse also employs a stark **Contrast** between Saul's human, flawed, and self-serving understanding of events and God's true, sovereign, and righteous plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 23:7 stands as a powerful testament to the fundamental clash between human schemes and divine sovereignty. Saul's declaration, "God hath delivered him into mine hand," is a chilling and tragic example of how a person, particularly one in a position of power, can profoundly misinterpret circumstances and attribute their own malicious desires or self-serving agendas to God's will. This spiritual blindness stems directly from his persistent rebellion against God's word and his rejection of divine counsel, leading him to believe that God would actively aid his vendetta against His own anointed. Yet, the broader narrative of 1 Samuel consistently demonstrates God's unwavering protection of David, proving that no human fortification, strategic advantage, or malevolent intent can ultimately thwart the divine plan. This verse serves as a crucial theological reminder that God's ways are infinitely higher than our ways, and His sovereign purposes will prevail despite the most formidable human opposition or cleverest human calculations.

* [Psalm 37:23-24](/psalms/37-23-24 "Psalm 37:23-24 - The Steps of a Good Man")
* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.")
* [Psalm 121:7-8](/psalms/121-7-8 "Psalm 121:7-8 - The Lord Will Keep You from All Evil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Saul's profound misinterpretation of God's will in 1 Samuel 23:7 offers a sobering and timeless lesson for believers today. It serves as a powerful caution against the human propensity to project our own desires, biases, fears, or even our personal vendettas onto God's actions or perceived circumstances. True spiritual discernment requires profound humility, a deep and consistent immersion in God's revealed Word, and a willingness to submit our will entirely to His, rather than seeking divine validation for our own preconceived agendas. Just as Saul believed David was "shut in" by physical barriers and human strategy, we too can often feel trapped by life's overwhelming circumstances, whether they be financial hardship, relational conflict, professional setbacks, or personal struggles that seem to have no exit. This verse powerfully reminds us that even when human logic dictates a hopeless or inescapable situation, God's sovereign hand is actively at work, often orchestrating deliverance in ways we cannot foresee or comprehend. Our ultimate trust should not be in the absence of barriers or the strength of our own plans, but in the unfailing presence and power of an all-knowing, all-powerful God who faithfully protects His own and perfectly fulfills His divine purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be prone to interpreting circumstances through the lens of your own desires or fears, rather than God's revealed character and Word?**
* **How does Saul's spiritual blindness challenge your own understanding of discernment and the process of truly seeking God's will?**
* **When you feel "shut in" or trapped by difficult circumstances, how can the example of David's eventual deliverance strengthen your faith in God's protective sovereignty?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure your prayers, decisions, and actions align with God's purposes, rather than seeking divine validation for personal ambitions or even unrighteous intentions?**

### FAQ
**Why did Saul believe God had delivered David into his hand?**

Answer: Saul believed God had delivered David into his hand because David had entered Keilah, a fortified city with strong "gates and bars." From Saul's perspective, this was a significant tactical blunder by David, effectively trapping him within the city walls and making his capture seem inevitable. Saul, in his profound spiritual delusion, interpreted this seemingly advantageous situation as a direct act of divine favor, aligning God with his personal vendetta against David. This reveals Saul's self-serving theology and his tragic inability to discern God's true will, which was to protect David and establish him as king, not to assist Saul in his relentless and unrighteous pursuit. Saul's belief system had become so distorted that he saw God as a tool for his own destructive desires, rather than as the sovereign Lord who had already rejected him and chosen David.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 23:7, with its stark contrast between Saul's misguided perception of divine deliverance and God's true protective hand over David, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate deliverance and sovereignty found in Jesus Christ. Saul, the failed king, believed he had trapped God's anointed, much like the religious and political powers of Jesus' day thought they had "shut in" the true King of Israel on the cross. Yet, just as God miraculously delivered David from the "gates and bars" of Keilah, He raised Jesus from the dead, demonstrating that no human scheme, no "gates and bars" of death or the grave, could hold the ultimate Anointed One ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead")). Saul's twisted view of God's will is a sobering reminder of humanity's propensity to oppose God's true King, while David's protection points to Christ, who truly delivers His people from their ultimate enemies—sin and death—not by trapping them, but by setting them gloriously free through His sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). Ultimately, the true "deliverance" is not the capture of an earthly enemy, but the eternal salvation offered by the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), a deliverance that transcends any earthly fortress or human trap, proving that even the [gates of Hades](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Gates of Hades Shall Not Prevail") cannot prevail against His church.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 24:4

And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

1 Samuel 24:6

And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he [is] the anointed of the LORD.

Psalms 71:10

For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

Psalms 71:11

Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for [there is] none to deliver [him].

1 Samuel 26:8

Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not [smite] him the second time.

1 Samuel 26:9

And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?

Job 20:5

That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?