1 Samuel 23:8

8 So Saul called together all the troops to go to war and blockade Keilah, where David and his men were.

1 Samuel 23:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 23:8

And Saul called all the people together to war
Or "caused [them] to hear" ^F13 summoned them by an herald, whom he sent into all parts of the kingdom to proclaim war, and require them in his name to attend him; which was the prerogative of a king to do:

to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men;
that was what he privately intended, but the pretence was to make war against the Philistines.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 (emvy) "fecit audire", Montanus, Piscator.

1 Samuel 23:8 In-Context

6 When Ahimelech's son Abiathar fled to David at Keilah, Abiathar brought a priestly ephod with him.

7 When Saul was told that David went to Keilah, Saul said, "God has delivered him into my hands. He has trapped himself by going into a city which has [a gate with] a double door [held shut by] a bar."

8 So Saul called together all the troops to go to war and blockade Keilah, where David and his men were.

9 When David learned that Saul was planning to harm him, he told the priest Abiathar, "Bring the ephod."

10 Then David said, "LORD God of Israel, I have actually heard that Saul is going to come to Keilah and destroy the city on account of me.