1 Samuel 23:8

KJV

And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 23:8 captures a pivotal moment in King Saul's relentless pursuit of David, revealing the depth of his paranoia and obsession. Despite David's recent heroic act of delivering Keilah from the Philistines, Saul perceives David's presence in the fortified city as a strategic opportunity to finally trap his rival. This verse details Saul's decision to mobilize the entire nation for war, signaling a major military campaign aimed solely at besieging David and his small band of men, underscoring the tragic extent of Saul's spiritual and moral decline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows David's courageous and divinely-guided rescue of the Philistine-besieged city of Keilah, an act that saved its inhabitants and their livestock ([1 Samuel 23:1-5](/1_samuel/23-1 "1 Samuel 23:1-5 - David Rescues Keilah")). David, still a fugitive from Saul, had inquired of the Lord twice before entering Keilah, demonstrating his reliance on divine counsel. His victory, however, inadvertently exposes his location to Saul. Verse 8 marks Saul's immediate and vengeful response to this intelligence, setting the stage for David's subsequent inquiry of the Lord regarding Keilah's loyalty and his necessary flight from the city, as detailed in [1 Samuel 23:9-13](/1_samuel/23-9 "1 Samuel 23:9-13 - David Flees Keilah"). The narrative consistently highlights David's vulnerability and God's protective hand amidst Saul's escalating hostility.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Saul's reign was characterized by ongoing conflict with the Philistines, Israel's primary external threat, and internal struggles for consolidation of power. Kings in ancient Israel, like Saul, held significant military authority, capable of summoning the national levy for war. The act of "besieging" a city was a common and devastating military tactic, involving surrounding the city, cutting off supplies, and often employing siege engines to breach walls. Keilah was a fortified city in the Shephelah, a strategic border region between the Philistine plain and the Judean hills. Saul's mobilization of "all the people" (likely referring to the national levy or a significant portion of it) against an internal target was an extraordinary and costly undertaking, reflecting the deep personal vendetta that had consumed him, diverting national resources from genuine external threats.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **Saul's escalating paranoia and rejection by God**, illustrating how his fear of David usurping his throne has completely eclipsed his duties as king. His actions here are not for national defense but for personal vengeance, a stark contrast to his earlier, more righteous leadership (e.g., [1 Samuel 11:6-11](/1_samuel/11-6 "1 Samuel 11:6-11 - Saul's Victory at Jabesh-Gilead")). Secondly, it underscores **David's precarious position and God's consistent protection**. Despite David's righteous actions and God's anointing, he remains a hunted fugitive, relying entirely on divine guidance for survival, as evidenced by his repeated inquiries of the Lord (e.g., [1 Samuel 23:2](/1_samuel/23-2 "1 Samuel 23:2 - David Inquires of the Lord")). Thirdly, the passage highlights the **clash between human kingship and divine sovereignty**. Saul, the king chosen by man and now rejected by God, uses his earthly power to persecute God's chosen one, David, who must navigate this perilous landscape by trusting in God's ultimate control and deliverance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **called (Hebrew, קָרָא, _qara'_):** This verb signifies a formal summons, a proclamation, or an authoritative assembly. In this context, it emphasizes Saul's exercise of his royal prerogative to mobilize the nation for war. It's not a casual gathering but a deliberate, official call to arms, highlighting the king's power and the gravity of his intent to capture David.
* **war (Hebrew, מִלְחָמָה, _milchamah_):** This term denotes a battle, conflict, or military campaign. Its use here underscores the hostile and aggressive nature of Saul's objective. It was not merely an arrest but a full-scale military operation, indicating the extreme lengths Saul was willing to go to eliminate David, treating him as a national enemy rather than a loyal subject.
* **besiege (Hebrew, צוּר, _tsur_):** This verb means to bind, tie up, or enclose, and in a military context, to lay siege to a city. It implies surrounding the target to cut off escape routes and supplies, forcing surrender or capture. This word vividly conveys the dire predicament David and his men would face if trapped in Keilah, emphasizing Saul's strategic and ruthless determination to corner them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Saul called all the people together to war":** This clause reveals Saul's immediate and decisive action upon learning of David's location. The phrase "all the people" (or "all the army/nation") signifies a widespread mobilization, demonstrating the immense resources and national effort Saul was willing to expend on his personal vendetta against David. It highlights the king's absolute authority and the tragic misdirection of national power.
* **"to go down to Keilah":** This specifies the target of Saul's military campaign. Keilah, recently delivered by David from the Philistines, was a fortified city, making it a strategic location. Saul's intent to "go down" (a common directional verb for movement from higher to lower ground, or from a central location to a specific target) indicates a planned descent and direct confrontation.
* **"to besiege David and his men":** This final clause explicitly states the ultimate objective of Saul's massive mobilization. His goal was not to defend Israel, but to trap and capture David, whom he perceived as a threat to his throne. The term "besiege" underscores the comprehensive and inescapable nature of Saul's plan, aiming to cut off all avenues of escape for David and his loyal followers.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Saul, the king of Israel, mobilizes the national army not against the Philistines (the true external enemy whom David just defeated), but against David, his own anointed successor and a loyal servant. This stark contrast highlights Saul's distorted priorities and his descent into irrational paranoia. The narrative also employs **foreshadowing**, as Saul's relentless and irrational pursuit here sets the tone for the many subsequent chapters detailing David's life as a fugitive, constantly on the run from the king. This foreshadows both David's ongoing trials and God's consistent, miraculous deliverance. Furthermore, there is a clear **contrast** between David's selfless act of deliverance for the people of Keilah and Saul's self-serving, vengeful intent to use those same people and their city as a trap. This juxtaposition underscores the moral and spiritual chasm between the two leaders.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 23:8 serves as a profound theological statement on the destructive power of unchecked envy and the unwavering nature of divine protection. Saul's actions exemplify how a heart consumed by jealousy and fear can lead to a tragic abuse of power, turning national resources against an innocent individual rather than external enemies. This narrative underscores the spiritual battle between human will, driven by sin, and God's sovereign plan. Despite Saul's overwhelming military might and malicious intent, God's providence is evident in David's subsequent escape, demonstrating that no human force can thwart the divine purpose for His chosen one. The verse highlights the theme of persecution of the righteous, a recurring motif in biblical history, yet it simultaneously affirms God's faithfulness to those who trust in Him amidst adversity.

* [Psalm 34:19](/psalms/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.")
* [Proverbs 27:4](/proverbs/27-4 "Proverbs 27:4 - Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - If God is for us, who can be against us?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a stark warning and a profound encouragement for believers today. Saul's descent into paranoia and his willingness to use national power for personal vendetta serves as a cautionary tale about the corrosive effects of unchecked envy and insecurity. It reminds us that our internal battles can be far more destructive than external threats if not surrendered to God. For those who feel unjustly pursued or targeted, like David, this passage offers solace. David's immediate response to Saul's threat (as seen in the subsequent verses) was to inquire of the Lord, demonstrating unwavering reliance on divine guidance. This teaches us the critical importance of seeking God's counsel and trusting in His protective hand, even when circumstances seem overwhelming and human strength is insufficient. Our faithfulness in doing good may sometimes expose us to greater opposition, but it is precisely in these moments that God's power to deliver is most clearly demonstrated.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Saul's response to David's success challenge my own reactions to the achievements or perceived threats from others?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to use my influence or resources for personal gain or vengeance rather than for God's purposes?**
* **When facing overwhelming opposition or feeling trapped, what is my immediate inclination? Do I, like David, turn to the Lord for guidance and deliverance?**
* **How does this narrative reinforce my understanding of God's sovereignty and protection over those who are walking in His will, even amidst intense persecution?**

### FAQ
**Why was Saul so obsessed with David, even after David had served him faithfully?**

Answer: Saul's obsession stemmed primarily from intense jealousy and insecurity, coupled with his rejection by God as king. After David's victory over Goliath and his subsequent military successes, the people's adoration shifted from Saul to David, as encapsulated in the song, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" ([1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - Women's Song of David's Victory")). This fueled Saul's paranoia that David would usurp his throne, a fear exacerbated by the knowledge that the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him and was now with David ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1_samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - The Spirit of the Lord Departs from Saul")). His fear was not merely political but deeply spiritual, leading him to view David as a direct threat to his divinely-appointed position, despite David's repeated demonstrations of loyalty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 23:8, with its depiction of an innocent deliverer being relentlessly pursued by the established, yet corrupt, authority, powerfully foreshadows the experience of Jesus Christ. Just as David, having delivered Keilah, found himself the target of Saul's full military might, so too did Jesus, the ultimate Deliverer, face the relentless opposition and attempts to "besiege" Him by the religious and political powers of His day. The authorities sought to trap Jesus in His words ([Matthew 22:15](/matthew/22-15 "Matthew 22:15 - Pharisees Plot Against Jesus")) and ultimately mobilized against Him, leading to His arrest and crucifixion. Saul's vendetta against David, though personal, was a distorted reflection of the spiritual warfare against God's anointed. Jesus, the true King, was not pursued for a perceived earthly throne, but because His kingdom was not of this world, challenging the very foundations of human sin and corrupt power ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). While David fled from his persecutor, Jesus willingly submitted to the "siege" of humanity's sin and death on the cross, becoming the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His victory was not in escaping a city, but in conquering sin and death, thereby delivering His people from a far greater enemy than any earthly Philistine or king ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")).

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.