1 Samuel 23 - Study the King James Bible

Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.

Keilah: Keilah was a city of Judah, situated, according to Eusebius, eight miles from Eleutheropolis, towards Hebron. Sozomen says that the prophet Habakkuk's tomb was shewn there. Joshua 15:44, Nehemiah 3:17, Nehemiah 3:18
rob the: Leviticus 26:16, Deuteronomy 28:33, Deuteronomy 28:51, Judges 6:4, Judges 6:11, Micah 6:15
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:4 - in the hold 1 Samuel 23:2 - inquired 1 Chronicles 4:19 - Keilah

Therefore David inquired 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.

inquired: In what way David made this enquiry we are not told; but it was probably by means of Abiathar; and therefore it would seem, that with Houbigant, we should read the 1 Samuel 23:6, immediately after the 1 Samuel 23:1. - This adventure was truly noble and patriotic. Had not David loved his country, and been above all motives of private and personal revenge, he would have rejoiced in this invasion of Judea, as producing a strong diversion in his favour, and embroiling his inveterate enemy. In most cases, a man with David's wrongs would have joined with the enemies of his country, and avenged himself on the author of his calamities; but he thinks of nothing but succouring Keilah, and using his power and influence in behalf of his brethren. 1 Samuel 23:4, 1 Samuel 23:6, 1 Samuel 23:9-12, 1 Samuel 30:8, Numbers 27:21, Joshua 9:14, Judges 1:1, 2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Samuel 5:23, 1 Chronicles 14:10, Psalms 32:8, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3:6, Jeremiah 10:23
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:22 - inquired 1 Samuel 22:10 - he inquired 1 Samuel 28:15 - answereth 1 Samuel 30:7 - Abiathar 2 Samuel 2:1 - inquired 2 Samuel 21:1 - of the Lord 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 2 Kings 3:19 - And ye 1 Chronicles 13:3 - we inquired 2 Chronicles 18:4 - Inquire Nehemiah 3:17 - Keilah Psalms 18:29 - by thee

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?

Behold: 1 Samuel 23:15, 1 Samuel 23:23, 1 Samuel 23:26, Psalms 11:1, Jeremiah 12:5
Reciprocal: Proverbs 20:8 - General

Then David inquired 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.

yet again: 1 Samuel 28:6, Judges 6:39
for I will: Joshua 8:7, Judges 7:7, 2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Kings 3:18
Reciprocal: Exodus 23:31 - deliver the Numbers 21:34 - for I have Judges 20:28 - Shall I yet 1 Samuel 14:37 - Shall I go 1 Samuel 22:10 - he inquired 1 Samuel 23:2 - inquired 1 Samuel 28:15 - answereth 1 Samuel 30:8 - inquired 2 Samuel 2:1 - inquired 2 Samuel 21:1 - of the Lord 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 2 Chronicles 18:4 - Inquire Proverbs 20:8 - General Isaiah 55:10 - as the rain

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.

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 22:40 - girded Psalms 18:38 - General Psalms 38:20 - render

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.

when Abiathar: 1 Samuel 22:20
an ephod: 1 Samuel 14:3, 1 Samuel 14:18, 1 Samuel 14:36, 1 Samuel 14:37, Exodus 28:30, Exodus 28:31
Reciprocal: Exodus 28:4 - ephod Judges 17:5 - ephod 1 Samuel 23:2 - inquired 1 Samuel 23:9 - Bring 1 Kings 2:26 - barest Hosea 3:4 - ephod Mark 2:26 - Abiathar

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.

am 2943, bc 1061, An, Ex, Is 430
God hath: 1 Samuel 23:14, 1 Samuel 24:4-6, 1 Samuel 26:8, 1 Samuel 26:9, Psalms 71:10, Psalms 71:11
he is shut: Exodus 14:3, Exodus 15:9, Judges 16:2, Judges 16:3, Job 20:5, Luke 19:43, Luke 19:44
Reciprocal: Numbers 35:20 - by laying 1 Samuel 23:12 - They will 1 Samuel 24:18 - Lord 2 Samuel 12:7 - I delivered 2 Chronicles 13:16 - God delivered Psalms 31:21 - strong city Psalms 37:12 - General Isaiah 19:4 - give over

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

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 23:10 - destroy the city

And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

David: Jeremiah 11:18, Jeremiah 11:19, Acts 9:24, Acts 14:6, Acts 23:16-18
Bring: 1 Samuel 23:6, 1 Samuel 14:18, 1 Samuel 30:7, Numbers 27:21, Jeremiah 33:3
Reciprocal: Exodus 28:30 - General Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments Joshua 9:14 - asked not Judges 1:1 - asked Judges 8:27 - an ephod Judges 11:11 - uttered 1 Samuel 14:37 - Shall I go 1 Samuel 23:2 - inquired 1 Samuel 28:15 - answereth 2 Samuel 2:1 - inquired 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 1 Chronicles 13:3 - we inquired 1 Chronicles 14:10 - inquired 2 Chronicles 18:4 - Inquire Psalms 7:16 - General Psalms 11:2 - that Proverbs 24:2 - General Daniel 8:12 - and it practiced Hosea 3:4 - ephod Mark 2:26 - Abiathar John 10:35 - unto John 11:51 - being

10.

Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

destroy the city: 1 Samuel 23:8, 1 Samuel 22:19, Genesis 18:24, Esther 3:6, Proverbs 28:15, Romans 3:15, Romans 3:16
Reciprocal: Judges 1:1 - asked Judges 8:27 - an ephod 1 Samuel 28:15 - answereth 1 Samuel 30:8 - inquired

11.

Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.

And the Lord: Psalms 50:15, Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 7:7, Matthew 7:8
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:22 - inquired 2 Samuel 21:1 - of the Lord Psalms 142:4 - refuge Jeremiah 11:18 - the Lord

12.

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.

deliver: Heb. shut up, Psalms 31:8
They will: 1 Samuel 23:7, Psalms 62:1, Psalms 118:8, Ecclesiastes 9:14, Ecclesiastes 9:15, Isaiah 29:15, Hebrews 4:13
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:22 - inquired 1 Samuel 22:10 - he inquired 1 Samuel 24:18 - delivered me Psalms 38:20 - render Psalms 62:9 - Surely Jeremiah 11:18 - the Lord

13.

Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.

six hundred: 1 Samuel 22:2, 1 Samuel 25:13, 1 Samuel 30:9, 1 Samuel 30:10
Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 15:20 - seeing

14.

And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

a mountain: Psalms 11:1-3
the wilderness: Ziph is mentioned in Joshua with Carmel and Maon, near which it seems to have been situated; and as we have mention of Carmel and Maon in the history of David, as adjoining to Ziph, it cannot be doubted that by the Ziph, in the wilderness of which David now lay, and where was the hill of Hachilah, is to be understood Ziph near Carmel and Maon. Joshua 15:24, Joshua 15:55
Saul: 1 Samuel 27:1, Psalms 54:3, Psalms 54:4, Proverbs 1:16, Proverbs 4:16
but God: 1 Samuel 23:7, Psalms 32:7, Psalms 37:32, Psalms 37:33, Psalms 54:3, Psalms 54:4, Proverbs 21:30, Jeremiah 36:26, Romans 8:31, 2 Timothy 3:11, 2 Timothy 4:17, 2 Timothy 4:18
Reciprocal: Joshua 2:16 - Get you 1 Samuel 24:11 - thou huntest 1 Samuel 26:8 - God 2 Samuel 12:7 - I delivered 2 Samuel 22:1 - and out 1 Chronicles 12:8 - into the hold 2 Chronicles 11:8 - Ziph Ezekiel 33:27 - in the caves Acts 12:19 - sought for him

15.

And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

life: Heb. nephesh, soul, Genesis 44:30
Reciprocal: Joshua 15:55 - Ziph 1 Samuel 23:3 - Behold 2 Samuel 4:8 - sought Daniel 10:18 - he Hebrews 11:38 - wandered

16.

And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

strengthened: Deuteronomy 3:28, Nehemiah 2:18, Job 4:3, Job 4:4, Job 16:5, Proverbs 27:9, Proverbs 27:17, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Isaiah 35:3, Isaiah 35:4, Ezekiel 13:22, Luke 22:32, Luke 22:43, Ephesians 6:10, 2 Timothy 2:1, Hebrews 12:12, Hebrews 12:13
Reciprocal: Genesis 48:2 - strengthened Judges 7:11 - thine hands 1 Samuel 22:8 - that my son 2 Samuel 1:26 - thy love 2 Samuel 9:1 - show him 2 Chronicles 17:1 - and strengthened Psalms 119:150 - draw nigh Proverbs 17:17 - General Ecclesiastes 4:10 - if Malachi 3:16 - spake

17.

And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

Fear not: Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:14, Hebrews 13:6
shall not: Job 5:11-15, Psalms 27:1-3, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:2, Psalms 91:1, Psalms 91:2, Proverbs 14:26, Isaiah 54:17
thou shalt be: Luke 12:32
I shall be: Proverbs 19:21, Acts 28:16, Romans 15:24
that also Saul: 1 Samuel 20:31, 1 Samuel 24:20, Acts 5:39
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 25:30 - according 1 Samuel 27:1 - And David 1 Samuel 31:2 - Jonathan Esther 10:3 - next unto king Psalms 63:11 - the king Proverbs 27:9 - so

18.

And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

1 Samuel 18:3, 1 Samuel 20:12-17, 1 Samuel 20:42, 2 Samuel 9:1, 2 Samuel 21:7
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 20:8 - thou hast 2 Samuel 5:3 - before 2 Kings 11:4 - made a covenant 1 Chronicles 11:3 - before Psalms 88:8 - put

19.

Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

the Ziphites: 1 Samuel 22:7, 1 Samuel 22:8, 1 Samuel 26:1, Psalms 54:1, *title Psalms 54:3, Psalms 54:4, Proverbs 29:12
Hachilah: Calmet states, that Hachilah was a mountain about ten miles south of Jericho, where Jonathan Maccabeus built the castle of Massada, west of the Dead Sea, and not far from En-gedi. 1 Samuel 26:1, 1 Samuel 26:3
on the south: Heb. on the right hand
Jeshimon: or, the wilderness, Eusebius places Jeshimon ten miles south of Jericho, near the Dead Sea; which agrees extremely well with the position of Hachilah, as stated by Calmet.
Reciprocal: Joshua 15:24 - Ziph 1 Samuel 13:6 - in caves 1 Samuel 19:19 - General 1 Samuel 23:24 - the south 1 Samuel 24:1 - it was told 1 Samuel 30:29 - Rachal 2 Kings 24:14 - craftsmen 1 Chronicles 2:42 - Ziph 2 Chronicles 11:8 - Ziph Psalms 31:13 - while Psalms 62:9 - Surely Psalms 64:5 - commune Psalms 140:2 - continually Psalms 142:4 - refuge Proverbs 16:29 - General Proverbs 28:4 - that Acts 25:3 - desired 1 Corinthians 13:6 - Rejoiceth not Hebrews 11:38 - wandered

20.

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.

all the desire: Deuteronomy 18:6, 2 Samuel 3:21, Psalms 112:10, Proverbs 11:23
our part: 1 Kings 21:11-14, 2 Kings 10:5-7, Psalms 54:3, Proverbs 29:26
Reciprocal: Psalms 31:13 - while Psalms 62:9 - Surely Psalms 119:95 - wicked Psalms 142:4 - refuge Proverbs 24:15 - Lay

21.

And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

1 Samuel 22:8, Judges 17:2, Psalms 10:3, Isaiah 66:5, Micah 3:11
Reciprocal: Genesis 20:13 - This 1 Samuel 17:50 - So David prevailed 1 Samuel 24:19 - the Lord 2 Samuel 2:5 - Blessed 2 Samuel 17:4 - the saying Psalms 10:10 - humbleth

22.

Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.

haunt is: Heb. foot shall be, Job 5:13
Reciprocal: 2 Kings 6:13 - spy where Psalms 10:10 - humbleth Psalms 57:6 - a net Psalms 64:2 - secret Matthew 2:8 - go Mark 14:44 - and lead Acts 16:23 - to keep

23.

See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

take knowledge: Mark 14:1, Mark 14:10, Mark 14:11, John 18:2, John 18:3
I will search: 2 Samuel 17:11-13, 1 Kings 18:10, Proverbs 1:16, Romans 3:15, Romans 3:16
the thousands: Numbers 10:36, Micah 5:2
Reciprocal: Exodus 14:3 - They are entangled Numbers 1:16 - heads 1 Samuel 23:3 - Behold 1 Samuel 24:11 - thou huntest 1 Samuel 26:2 - Saul arose 2 Samuel 17:8 - thy father is 2 Samuel 17:12 - in some place 2 Kings 6:13 - spy where Psalms 10:8 - sitteth Psalms 35:4 - that Psalms 64:2 - secret Matthew 2:8 - go Mark 14:44 - and lead Acts 16:23 - to keep Hebrews 11:38 - wandered

24.

And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

the wilderness: Maon, from which the adjoining mountainous district derived its name, was city in the most southern parts of the tribe of Judah, and a neighbouring town to Carmel. Hence Nabal - 1 Samuel 25:2 is described as a man of Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and though he might dwell generally in Maon, yet he is styled Nabal the Carmelite, from the place where his estate lay. Calmet supposes it to be the city Minois, which Eusebius places in the vicinity of Gaza; and the Moenoemi Castrum, which the Theodosian code places near Beersheba.
Maon: 1 Samuel 25:2, Joshua 15:55
the south: 1 Samuel 23:19
Reciprocal: Joshua 15:24 - Ziph Judges 10:12 - the Maonites

25.

Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

into a rock: or, from the rock, 1 Samuel 23:28, Judges 15:8
Reciprocal: Joshua 15:55 - Maon Judges 10:12 - the Maonites 1 Chronicles 11:16 - in the hold

26.

And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

David made haste: 1 Samuel 19:12, 1 Samuel 20:38, 2 Samuel 15:14, 2 Samuel 17:21, 2 Samuel 17:22, Psalms 31:22
away: 2 Chronicles 20:12, Psalms 17:9, Psalms 17:11, Psalms 22:12, Psalms 22:16, Psalms 118:11-13, Psalms 140:1-9, 2 Corinthians 1:8, Revelation 20:9
Reciprocal: Judges 16:2 - compassed 1 Samuel 20:1 - fled 1 Samuel 23:3 - Behold 2 Samuel 12:7 - I delivered 2 Samuel 22:19 - prevented 2 Kings 6:14 - sent he thither horses Esther 6:1 - that night Psalms 4:1 - thou Psalms 35:3 - stop Psalms 37:33 - will not Psalms 119:87 - almost Psalms 124:7 - Our soul Acts 12:6 - the same

27.

But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

there came: Genesis 22:14, Deuteronomy 32:36, 2 Kings 19:9, Psalms 116:3
the Philistines: 2 Kings 19:9, Revelation 12:16
invaded: Heb. spread themselves upon, 1 Chronicles 14:13
Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 22:19 - prevented Esther 6:1 - that night Psalms 35:3 - stop Psalms 119:87 - almost Psalms 124:7 - Our soul Isaiah 37:9 - he heard Acts 12:6 - the same

28.

Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.

Selahammahlekoth: that is, the rock of divisions, Because, says the Targum, "the heart of the king was divided to go hither and thither." Here Saul was obliged to separate himself from David, in order to go and oppose the invading Philistines; which deliverance of David was of such a nature as made the Divine interposition fully visible. 1 Samuel 23:28
Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 23:25 - into a rock 1 Samuel 24:1 - when Saul Isaiah 37:9 - he heard

29.

And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at En-gedi.

The district around En-gedi, near the western coast of the Dead Sea, is reported by travellers to be a mountainous territory, filled with caverns; and consequently, proper for David in his present circumstances. Dr. Lightfoot thinks this was the wilderness of Judah, in which David was when he penned the Psalms 63:1, which breathes as much pious and devout affection as almost any of his Psalms; for in all places and in all conditions he still kept up his communion with God. - If Christians knew their privileges better, and acted up thereto, there would be less murmuring at the dark dispensations of Divine Providence. 1 Samuel 24:1, Genesis 14:7, Joshua 15:62, 2 Chronicles 20:2, Song of Solomon 1:14, Ezekiel 47:10
Reciprocal: Joshua 2:16 - Get you 1 Samuel 24:22 - the hold 1 Chronicles 12:8 - into the hold