1 Samuel 23

1 Samuel 23

Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission 1 Samuel Chart from Charles Swindoll TIMELINE OF THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS & CHRONICLES 1107 1011 971 931 853 722 586 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 1 Kings 2 Kings 31 1-4 5-10 11-20 21-24 1-11 12-22 1-17 18-25 1 Chronicles 10 1 Chr 11-19 1 Chr 20-29 2 Chronicles 1-9 2 Chronicles 10-20 2 Chronicles 21-36 Legend: B.C. dates at top of timeline are approximate. Note that 931BC marks the division of the Kingdom into Southern Tribes (Judah and Benjamin) and Ten Northern Tribes. To avoid confusion be aware that after the division of the Kingdom in 931BC, the Southern Kingdom is most often designated in Scripture as "Judah" and the Northern Kingdom as "Israel." Finally, note that 1 Chronicles 1-9 is not identified on the timeline because these chapters are records of genealogy. The Ryrie Study Bible Map on Left ESV Global Study Bible, on right Jensen's Survey of the OT Overlappings in 1 Samuel First Three Kings of Israel Main Characters in 1 Samuel MAPS TRACING DAVID'S FLIGHT FROM SAUL 1 SAMUEL 19-24 Click here for an excellent map with DAVID'S FLIGHT FROM SAUL with Numbered Movements of David - Copyright Faithlife / Logos Bible Software (https://www.logos.com). Below is a summary from the ESV Global Study Bible of 18 places David fled The following notes are modified from ESV notes to include the related Scriptures. David’s growing reputation fueled Saul’s jealousy which soon flamed into a desire to murder David (1Sa 19:9-10). (1) David fled from Saul in Gibeah (1Sa 19:9-10) and then from his home (1Sa 19:11-17) (2) After Saul tried unsuccessfully to kill him in his home, he fled to Samuel at Naioth in Ramah (1Sa 19:18) (3), Saul sought David in Naioth of Ramah, but the Spirit saved him (1Sa 19:19-24), and he fled back to meet Jonathan in Gibeah where Jonathan sent an "arrow-gram" warning David of Saul’s determination to kill him(1Sa 20:1-42) (4). David then fled to Ahimelech the priest at Nob where he collected food and Goliath’s sword. (1Sa 21:1-9) (5), David briefly sought refuge in the Philistine city of Gath (1Sa 21:10-15) (see Ps 56:1-13 and Ps 34:1-22) (6) David then escaped to set up headquarters at the cave of Adullam where his army swelled to 400 men. (1Sa 22:1-2) (7), In order to protect his parents from harm, David left them in the care of the king of Moab at Mizpah (1Sa 22:3-4) (8) and went to live in “the stronghold”, the cave of Adullam (1Sa 22:1, 4) (see Ps 142:1-7) (9). Prophet Gad warns Davie and he went to the forest of Hereth (1Sa 22:5) (10) and then left to rescue nearby Keilah from some Philistine raiding parties. (1Sa 23:1-5) (11) When David heard that Saul was coming to Keilah, he and his 600 men fled Keilah. (1Sa 23:9-13) David relocated to the wilderness of Ziph (1Sa 23:14) (12) After the men of Ziph betrayed David to Saul (1Sa 23:19-20), David and his men went to live in the wilderness of Maon (1Sa 23:24-25) and narrowly escaped capture there by Saul (1Sa 23:26-28) (13) . Fleeing the strongholds of Engedi (1Sa 23:29) David again evaded capture by Saul and refused an opportunity to take Saul’s life. (1Sa 24:1-22) (14) After Samuel's death (1Sa 25:1) David went to the wilderness of Paran (1Sa 25:1) (15). While he was there, David was again betrayed to Saul by the men of Ziph and refused another opportunity to take Saul’s life. (1Sa 26:1-25) (16) Finally, David and his men sought refuge with Achish, the king of Gath (1Sa 27:1-12) Below is another map from the Holman Bible Atlas (digital book; Hardcover) Click to enlarge - from the Holman Bible Atlas (digital book; Hardcover) copyright © 1998 B&H Publishing Group, used by permission, all rights reserved. This is one of the best resources for Bible maps. Please do not reproduce this map on any other webpage. Thank you. 1 Samuel 23:1 Then they told David, saying, "Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are plundering the threshing floors." BGT 1 Samuel 23:1 καὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Δαυιδ λέγοντες ἰδοὺ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι πολεμοῦσιν ἐν τῇ Κεϊλα καὶ αὐτοὶ διαρπάζουσιν καταπατοῦσιν τοὺς ἅλω LXE 1 Samuel 23:1 And it was told David, saying, behold, the Philistines war in Keila, and they rob, they trample on the threshing-floors. KJV 1 Samuel 23:1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors. NET 1 Samuel 23:1 They told David, "The Philistines are fighting in Keilah and are looting the threshing floors." CSB 1 Samuel 23:1 It was reported to David: "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and raiding the threshing floors." ESV 1 Samuel 23:1 Now they told David, "Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors." NIV 1 Samuel 23:1 When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors," NLT 1 Samuel 23:1 One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors. NRS 1 Samuel 23:1 Now they told David, "The Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing floors." NJB 1 Samuel 23:1 News was then brought to David, 'The Philistines are besieging Keilah and plundering the threshing-floors'. NAB 1 Samuel 23:1 David received information that the Philistines were attacking Keilah and plundering the threshing floors. YLT 1 Samuel 23:1 And they declare to David, saying, 'Lo, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are spoiling the threshing-floors.' GWN 1 Samuel 23:1 David was asked, "Did you know that the Philistines are fighting against Keilah? They are robbing the threshing floors." Keilah: city in western foothills of tribe of Judah. Jos 15:44 Ne 3:17,18 plundering the threshing floors: Lev 26:16 De 28:33,51 Jdg 6:4,11 Mic 6:15 1 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Threshing Floor PHILISTINES PLUNDERING KEILAH'S THRESHING FLOORS Don Anderson's titles for chapter 23 - "Learning to Look to God," "From Fear to Faith," "Betrayed." Paul Apple titles the chapter "GOD SPECIALIZES IN ENGINEERING NARROW ESCAPES INTRODUCTION" adding that this is a "Dangerous form of Hide and Seek; David hiding with his loyal band of followers (now about 600 men); Saul seeking to destroy him with all the power and resources of the military at his command as well as intelligence gathering resources Have you ever been in a tight spot … questioning God’s ability to deliver; Finding grace to help just in the nick of time. 1Sa 23:1-14 NARROW ESCAPE #1 – TRAPPED IN KEILAL -- WHEN GOD LEADS US INTO DANGER, HE PROVIDES THE PATH OF ESCAPE. 1Sa 23:15-18 ASIDE: ENCOURAGING COVENANT BETWEEN DAVID AND JONATHAN. 1Sa 23:19-29 NARROW ESCAPE #2 – CLOSE CALL IN WILDERNESS OF MAON (BETRAYED BY THE ZIPHITES) – THE LORD CAN PROVIDENTIALLY INTERVENE EVEN WHEN OUR ENEMIES HAVE US SURROUNDED Alan Redpath points out that "At this point in his experience, David wrote at least three psalms: the 27th, the 31st, and the 54th. Others may also have been written at this time but these three sum up the spiritual conflict that was going on in his heart. They show what was shaping his life to make him a man of God." "My times are in Thy hand" (Ps 31:15), and that means that in this moment of adversity and trial, David knew that all the question marks of his life were in the hand of God. He knew it was impossible to be in God's hand and in the enemy's hand at the same time. The gloom begins to disappear and fear departs as faith emerges in glorious triumph. This man is rising out of his testing and adversity to learn to put his utter dependence on the Lord. If you begin with God, your enemies grow small. "If you begin with the enemy, you may never reach God. If you begin with Him, the problems begin to dwindle. If you begin with the problems, you never get through to God. Think of that and apply it to your life, in your adversity and testing." (See The Making of a Man of God - Life of David - 137 page PDF) Gene Getz points out, "Following David's period of deep distress and fear which caused him to take matters into his own hands and woefully make a mess of things, he emerged from the cave of Adullam a different man. While hiding there from Saul, he had many quiet hours to think and reflect on his bizarre and deceitful behavior. It was there he no doubt had a unique encounter with his Lord." (Borrow David: God's man in faith and failure) "How are thy servants blessed, O Lord, How sure is their defense. Eternal wisdom is their guide, Their help omnipotence." -- Joseph Addison Then - David was apparently still in the forests of Hereth (#9 on map above) John Davis - While in the Hebron area, word came to David that the Philistines were planning a campaign in the Shephelah against the city of Keilah which was located northwest of Hebron, about thirteen miles east of the Philistines’ stronghold of Gath. This raid was to take place in the early summer, since they planned to “rob the threshingfloors” (v. 1). The spiritual maturity and sensitivity of David were evident in the fact that he immediately inquired of the Lord before undertaking this war in spite of the fact that such defense would have been perfectly legitimate. (Borrow Israel : from conquest to exile : a commentary on Joshua-2 Kings) they told David, saying, "Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah ("fortress") - Who is they? His men? See map #10 above for Keilah, located about 3-4 miles SE of Adullam, about 20 miles SW of Jerusalem and W of Hebron. The Philistines who David had just fled from was now raiding this town in Judah, the close proximity to Philistia making Keilah extremely vulnerable to aggression by the Philistines. The town would have been especially attractive to the Philistine raiders in the harvest season which would provide food for the Philistine army. There is a television show called "Better Call Saul," which would have be apropos for Keilah under Philistine attack, but Saul was more obsessed with killing David than he was with defending Keilah! Plundering (shasah - carrying off spoil from) the threshing floors - This signifies that the Philistines were stealing the harvested grain the Keilahites needed for sustenance. Fighting (making war)(03898) lacham means to do battle, fight, engage in combat, wage war -- against Egyptians (Ex 1:10), against Israel (Nu 21:1, 23, 25, 22:11; Josh 9:2); against Israel's enemies (Josh 10:29). Of Yahweh fighting for His people (Ex 14:14, Ex 14:25, Ex 17:9-10, Dt 1:30, Dt 3:22, Josh 10:14, Jer 21:5, Neh 4:14, 2 Chr 20:29) In doing so, Yahweh often calls into His service not only Israel, but also the elements of nature (Josh 10:11; Josh 24:7; Jdg 5:20). Nevertheless, the Israelites must also join the battle and fight with the Lord. Even though their land has been deeded to them as an inheritance, they must conquer it in battle (Ex 23:27-33). W E Vine - While the word is commonly used in the context of "armies engaged in pitched battle" against each other (Num. 21:23; Josh. 10:5; Judg. 11:5), it is also used to describe "single, hand-to-hand combat" (1 Sam. 17:32-33). Frequently, God "fights" the battle for Israel (Deut. 20:4). Instead of swords, words spoken by a lying tongue are often used "to fight" against God's servants (Ps. 109:2). (Vine's Expository Dictionary) Plundering (08154) shasah means to spoil or plunder of both land and objects usually that which belonged to Israel and usually allowed by God as divine judgment for sins against which they had been clearly warned but from which they refused to repent. It can also refer (as in this passage) to the people who do the plundering. It is notable that if the plunderers plundered more than God allowed, they too would be plundered! ISBE - KEILAH - ("fortress") - Keilah was a border town in Judah, about twelve miles from the Philistine city of Gath and some ten miles west of the forest of Hereth where David and his men were camping (1Sa 22:5). A city of the Shephelah mentioned (Josh 15:44) along with Nezib, Aehzib and Mareshah. Among those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem was "Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district. After him repaired their brethren, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah" (Neh 3:17,18). David and Keilah: It is, however, from the story of the wandering of David that we have most information regarding this place. It was a city with gates and bars (1 Sam 23:7). The Philistines came against it and commenced robbing the threshing-floors. David, after twice inquiring of Yahweh, went down with his 600 men (1 Sam 23:13) and "fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and slew them with great slaughter." Saul hearing that David and his men were within a fortified town "summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men" (1 Sam 23:8). Then David asked Abiathar the priest to bring him an ephod, and he inquired of Yahweh whether, if Saul came, the men of Keilah would surrender him to save that city; hearing from Yahweh, "They will deliver thee up," he and all his men escaped from Keilah and went into the wilderness. The reputed strength of Keilah is confirmed by its mention in 5 tablets in the Tell el-Amarna Letters under the name of Kilts (qilti, Petrie) with Gedor, Gath, Rabbah and Gezer. QUESTION - What is the significance of Keilah in the Bible? ANSWER - Keilah is mentioned sixteen times in the Bible, all in the Old Testament (ED: 18x/16v - Jos. 15:44; 1 Sam. 23:1; 1 Sam. 23:2; 1 Sam. 23:3; 1 Sam. 23:4; 1 Sam. 23:5; 1 Sam. 23:6; 1 Sam. 23:7; 1 Sam. 23:8; 1 Sam. 23:10; 1 Sam. 23:11; 1 Sam. 23:12; 1 Sam. 23:13; 1 Chr. 4:19; Neh. 3:17; Neh. 3:18). In one instance, Keilah is a personal name, and in the others it is a place name. The meaning of the name Keilah is “fortress” or “citadel.” A man named Keilah is mentioned in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 4:19. Every other time, Keilah refers to a geographical location. Although there are fifteen other uses, they occur in only three passages. The place Keilah is first mentioned in Joshua 15:44 as one of the Canaanite cities that was allotted to Judah when the Promised Land was first being conquered and divided among the tribes. Keilah is also mentioned twice in Jeremiah 3:17–18 where those who repaired the wall around Jerusalem are listed. Here Keilah is a district. Two leaders are mentioned, each of them over “half the district of Keilah.” Keilah is mentioned twelve times in 1 Samuel 23:1–14. Before he became king and when he was fleeing from Saul, David led a band of about 600 men who served to protect him and to help other Israelites in need. Keilah, a fortified city in the Judean plain, was being terrorized by the Philistines and was in need of help. “Now they told David, ‘Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors’” (1 Samuel 23:1ESV). David inquired of the Lord twice about going to Keilah (verses 2a and 4a), and twice the Lord promised victory over the Philistines (verses 2b and 4b). “And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah” (verse 5, ESV). The report of David’s rout of the Philistines reached King Saul, and, thinking he had David trapped, Saul immediately “summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men” (1 Samuel 23:8, ESV). In Keilah, David consulted with Abiathar the priest and asked God if David and his men were safe in Keilah (verses 9–11). The Lord’s response was that David and his men were not safe. Saul would come down to the city, and the people of Keilah would surrender David into Saul’s hands (verse 12). “Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go” (verse 13, ESV). Saul gave up his plan to besiege Keilah but continued to search for David. “And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand” (verse 14, ESV). This passage illustrates how David relied on God’s leading in his day-to-day decisions and his desire to help his fellow countrymen. In 1 Samuel 23:1–12, David prays no fewer than four times. And David does not act until he knows the Lord’s will in the matter. Amazingly, the people of Keilah were disloyal to David, even after he had saved them. They were even willing to betray David into the hands of his enemy. In spite of this, David did not take vengeance on Keilah. He simply left before it became an issue. In contrast to David’s four prayers, Saul does not pray at all. Rather, he assumes the circumstances that seemed favorable to him were proof of God’s blessing and that he was following God’s leading (1 Samuel 23:7). He had convinced himself that murdering David was God’s will, but God thwarted those evil plans and preserved David’s life. GotQuestions.org 1 Samuel 23:2 So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah." καὶ πατάξεις ἐν τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις τούτοις καὶ σώσεις τὴν Κεϊλα LXE 1 Samuel 23:2 And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said, Go, and thou shalt smite these Philistines, and shalt save Keila. KJV 1 Samuel 23:2 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. NET 1 Samuel 23:2 So David asked the LORD, "Should I go and strike down these Philistines?" The LORD said to David, "Go, strike down the Philistines and deliver Keilah." CSB 1 Samuel 23:2 So David inquired of the LORD: "Should I launch an attack against these Philistines?" The LORD answered David, "Launch an attack against the Philistines and rescue Keilah." ESV 1 Samuel 23:2 Therefore David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah." NIV 1 Samuel 23:2 he inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The LORD answered him, "Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah." NLT 1 Samuel 23:2 David asked the LORD, "Should I go and attack them?" "Yes, go and save Keilah," the LORD told him. NRS 1 Samuel 23:2 David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah." NJB 1 Samuel 23:2 David consulted Yahweh, 'Shall I go and fight these Philistines?' Yahweh replied to David, 'Go and fight the Philistines and save Keilah.' NAB 1 Samuel 23:2 So he consulted the LORD, inquiring, "Shall I go and defeat these Philistines?" The LORD answered, "Go, for you will defeat the Philistines and rescue Keilah." YLT 1 Samuel 23:2 And David asketh at Jehovah, saying, 'Do I go? -- and have I smitten among these Philistines?' And Jehovah saith unto David, 'Go, and thou hast smitten among the Philistines, and saved Keilah.' GWN 1 Samuel 23:2 David asked the LORD, "Should I go and attack these Philistines?" "Go," the LORD told David, "attack the Philistines, and save Keilah." inquired: 1Sa 23:4,6,9-12 30:8 Nu 27:21 Jos 9:14 Jdg 1:1 2Sa 5:19,23 1Ch 14:10 Ps 32:8 Pr 3:5,6 Jer 10:23 1 Samuel 23 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID SEEKS YAHWEH'S WORD ON KEILAH So - So means "and for this reason" or "therefore". What reason? The Philistines were raiding and plundering Keilah is David's reason. In short, in a time of adversity watch what David does! And keep the context in mind -- David is a man on the run himself and yet he is not so inwardly focused that he does not seek to help others in distress. THOUGHT - There is certainly a good lesson in David's response for all of us, for adversity tends too often to cause us to hold back help or even withdraw from aiding others in their adversity. "I have enough bad news in my life right now, so I don't need your bad news to compound bad news and complicate my life!" David's bad news did not blind him to the bad news of his fellow Israelites, those for whom he was the "king in training" and would one day reign over. David considered others at Keilah as more important than himself! Who does that sound like? (Rhetorical of course - see Php 2:3-5+). David inquired of the LORD - How did he inquire? Recall he had a priest Abiathar who had an ephod (cf 1Sa 23:6) so it is conceivable that God’s will was sought using the Urim and Thummim. This is the David we have come to love, the man after God's own heart, who again (after the Nob nightmare and Gath madness) is seeking His LORD. Clearly David is again in fellowship and communion with the LORD. He has recognized his sins and their consequences and confessed and repented, now going in his heart and mind toward the LORD, instead of previously away from the LORD and to self. We can all identify with this scenario! Is prayer my first or my last resort? God wants us to pray before we do anything at all. Warren