1 Samuel 23:1

David Delivers Keilah

1 Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.”

1 Samuel 23:1 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 23:1

Then they told David
Either the men of Keilah sent to him, being near them, or some well wishers of theirs, and of their country, acquainted him with their case:

saying, behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah;
had laid siege to it, being a fortified place, ( 1 Samuel 23:7 ) ; it was a city in the tribe of Judah, on the borders of the Philistines; of which (See Gill on Joshua 15:44);

and they rob the threshing floors;
took away the corn upon them, which they were threshing and winnowing, which were usually done without the city for the sake of wind, see ( Judges 6:11 ) ( Ruth 3:2 Ruth 3:15 ) ; it was harvest time when the three mighty men came to David in the cave of Adullam, and so now it might be the time of threshing, harvest being over, see ( 1 Samuel 22:1 ) ; compared with ( 2 Samuel 23:13 ) .

1 Samuel 23:1 In-Context

1 Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.”

2 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”

3 But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?”

4 Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

5 Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah.