1 Samuel 23:1

Deliverance at Keilah

1 It was reported to David: "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and raiding 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 It was reported to David: "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and raiding the threshing floors."

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."

3 But David's men said to him, "Look, we're afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!"

4 Once again, David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him: "Go at once to Keilah, for I will hand the Philistines over to you.

5 Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, drove their livestock away, and inflicted heavy losses on them. So David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah.