1 Samuel 23:8

8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, 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.

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

1 Samuel 23:8 In-Context

6 And it came to pass when Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, fled to David to Keilah that the ephod came in his hand.

7 And it was told Saul how David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, God has delivered him into my hand, for he is shut in by entering into a town that has gates and bars.

8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

9 But David understood that Saul devised evil against him, and he said to Abiathar, the priest, Bring here the ephod.

10 Then David said, O LORD God of Israel, thy slave has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.