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1 Samuel 23:12

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Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver [thee] up.

Then said {H559} David {H1732}, Will the men {H1167} of Keilah {H7084} deliver {H5462} me and my men {H582} into the hand {H3027} of Saul {H7586}? And the LORD {H3068} said {H559}, They will deliver thee up {H5462}.

Then David asked, "Will the men of Ke'ilah hand me and my men over to Sha'ul?"ADONAI said, "They will hand you over."

So David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” “They will,” said the LORD.

Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver up me and my men into the hand of Saul? And Jehovah said, They will deliver thee up.

Commentary

Context of 1 Samuel 23:12

This verse is found during a period of intense persecution for David, who is fleeing from King Saul. David had just performed a great service for the town of Keilah, delivering them from a Philistine invasion (1 Samuel 23:5). However, Saul heard that David was in Keilah and planned to besiege the city to capture him (1 Samuel 23:7-8). Sensing the danger and questioning the loyalty of the Keilahites, David sought the Lord's counsel through Abiathar the priest, who had brought the ephod (1 Samuel 23:9-10). This verse records the Lord's direct and crucial answer to David's specific inquiry about whether the men of Keilah would betray him.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Guidance: The Lord's immediate and unambiguous answer, "They will deliver [thee] up," demonstrates His complete knowledge of future events and human intentions. This highlights God's active involvement in guiding and protecting His chosen ones, even in the face of hidden dangers.
  • Human Treachery and Ingratitude: Despite David's heroic act of rescuing Keilah, the Lord reveals that the inhabitants were prepared to betray him to Saul for their own safety. This serves as a stark reminder of the fallen nature of humanity and the potential for ingratitude, even from those who have received great benefit.
  • David's Prudence and Reliance on God: David's decision to inquire of the Lord before acting, rather than assuming loyalty from the Keilahites, showcases his wisdom and profound reliance on divine guidance. This discernment saved him from being trapped and captured by Saul.
  • God's Protection of His Anointed: This divine warning directly enabled David's escape from a perilous situation, underscoring God's unwavering protection over His anointed servant. God's faithfulness to David is evident in His timely revelation of the impending betrayal.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "deliver up" in Hebrew is sagar (סָגַר), which means "to shut up," "to hand over," or "to surrender." The Lord's use of this term here, combined with the certainty of "They will deliver," leaves no doubt about the Keilahites' intentions to surrender David to Saul. The KJV's addition of "[thee]" clarifies that David himself would be the one delivered.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 23:12 offers valuable lessons for believers today. It encourages us to seek God's counsel and wisdom in all our decisions, especially when facing uncertainty or potential danger. We should not rely solely on human assumptions or appearances, as loyalty can be fleeting and circumstances can change. Just as God warned David, He continues to provide guidance, discernment, and protection for His people, often through His Word, prayer, and the wisdom of godly counsel. This verse also reminds us that our ultimate security rests not in human alliances or circumstances, but in the faithful and omniscient hand of God.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 31:8 (5 votes)

    And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.

  • 1 Samuel 23:20 (5 votes)

    Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part [shall be] to deliver him into the king's hand.

  • Psalms 62:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him [cometh] my salvation.

  • Hebrews 4:13 (2 votes)

    Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  • 1 Samuel 23:7 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:14 (2 votes)

    [There was] a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:

  • Ecclesiastes 9:15 (2 votes)

    Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.