1 Samuel 23:8

8 Sha'ul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Ke`ilah, to besiege David and his men.

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 It happened, when Avyatar the son of Achimelekh fled to David to Ke`ilah, that he came down with an efod in his hand.

7 It was told Sha'ul that David was come to Ke`ilah. Sha'ul said, God has delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that has gates and bars.

8 Sha'ul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Ke`ilah, to besiege David and his men.

9 David knew that Sha'ul was devising mischief against him; and he said to Avyatar the Kohen, Bring here the efod.

10 Then said David, O LORD, the God of Yisra'el, your servant has surely heard that Sha'ul seeks to come to Ke`ilah, to destroy the city for my sake.