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1 Samuel 23

ScriptureDepth's study of 1 Samuel 23

“Then David said, “O Yahweh, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Yahweh, the God of Israel, I beg you, tell your servant.” Yahweh said, “He will come down.”

1 Samuel 23:10-11

David asks Yahweh about Saul's intentions to attack Keilah and whether the city will betray him, receiving confirmation of Saul's plans and the city's betrayal.

What 1 Samuel 23 is about

David learns that the Philistines are attacking Keilah and robbing its threshing floors (vv. 1-2). He asks Yahweh if he should go and strike the Philistines, and Yahweh tells him to go and save the city. Despite his men's fears, David leads them to Keilah, where they defeat the Philistines and save the inhabitants (vv. 3-5). Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, comes to David with an ephod (v. 6). When Saul hears of David's presence in Keilah, he plans to besiege the city (vv. 7-8). David, aware of Saul's intentions, inquires of Yahweh again and learns that Saul will come down and the men of Keilah will betray him (vv. 9-12). David and his men flee to the wilderness (vv. 13-18). The Ziphites inform Saul of David's location (vv. 19-24). Saul pursues David but is diverted by a Philistine raid, leading him to abandon the pursuit (vv. 25-29).

David's situation remains precarious as he continues to evade King Saul's attempts to capture him.

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1 Samuel 23 at a glance

  1. 1 Samuel 23:1–5David Saves Keilah from the Philistines
  2. 1 Samuel 23:6–12David Seeks Guidance About Saul
  3. 1 Samuel 23:13–18David Flees into the Wilderness
  4. 1 Samuel 23:19–24The Ziphites Inform Saul
  5. 1 Samuel 23:25–29Saul Pursues but is Distracted

Key verse: 1 Samuel 23:10-11

One thing to notice

David seeks Yahweh's guidance twice regarding the rescue of Keilah and the threat from Saul. In verses 2 and 4, he asks, 'Shall I go' and receives clear direction. This pattern repeats in verses 10 and 12, where he inquires about the intentions of Saul and the inhabitants of Keilah.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read 1 Samuel 23 (WEB)

David Saves Keilah from the Philistines 1 Samuel 23:1–5

Verse 1. David was told, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing floors.” Verse 2. Therefore David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go and strike these Philistines?” Yahweh said to David, “Go strike the Philistines, and save Keilah.” Verse 3. David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Verse 4. Then David inquired of Yahweh yet again. Yahweh answered him, and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” Verse 5. David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their livestock, and killed them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

David Seeks Guidance About Saul 1 Samuel 23:6–12

Verse 6. When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand. Verse 7. Saul was told that David had come to Keilah. Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in by entering into a town that has gates and bars.” Verse 8. Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. Verse 9. David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” Verse 10. Then David said, “O Yahweh, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

Verse 11. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Yahweh, the God of Israel, I beg you, tell your servant.” Yahweh said, “He will come down.” Verse 12. Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” Yahweh said, “They will deliver you up.”

David Flees into the Wilderness 1 Samuel 23:13–18

Verse 13. Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went wherever they could go. Saul was told that David was escaped from Keilah; and he gave up going there. Verse 14. David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God didn’t deliver him into his hand. Verse 15. David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the wood. Verse 16. Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose, and went to David into the woods, and strengthened his hand in God.

Verse 17. He said to him, “Don’t be afraid; for the hand of Saul my father won’t find you; and you will be king over Israel, and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.” Verse 18. They both made a covenant before Yahweh. Then David stayed in the woods, and Jonathan went to his house.

The Ziphites Inform Saul 1 Samuel 23:19–24

Verse 19. Then the Ziphites came up to Saul to Gibeah, saying, “Doesn’t David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the woods, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of the desert? Verse 20. Now therefore, O king, come down. According to all the desire of your soul to come down; and our part will be to deliver him up into the king’s hand.” Verse 21. Saul said, “You are blessed by Yahweh; for you have had compassion on me. Verse 22. Please go make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who has seen him there; for I have been told that he deals very crafty.

Verse 23. See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hides himself, and come again to me with certainty, and I will go with you. It shall happen, if he is in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.” Verse 24. They arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of the desert.

Saul Pursues but is Distracted 1 Samuel 23:25–29

Verse 25. Saul and his men went to seek him. When David was told, he went down to the rock, and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. When Saul heard that, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon. Verse 26. Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain; and David hurried to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men surrounded David and his men to take them. Verse 27. But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come; for the Philistines have made a raid on the land!” Verse 28. So Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines. Therefore they called that place Sela Hammahlekoth.

Verse 29. David went up from there, and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in 1 Samuel 23

divine guidance

David seeks guidance from Yahweh when faced with the Philistines attacking Keilah, asking, 'Shall I go and strike these Philistines?' (v. 2). Yahweh responds affirmatively, instructing him to go and save the city. Afterward, when he learns of Saul's pursuit, David again inquires of Yahweh about the intentions of the men of Keilah (vv. 10-12), receiving clear answers that lead him to escape the city.

loyalty and friendship

Jonathan's visit to David in the wilderness serves as a testament to their deep loyalty and friendship. He strengthens David’s hand 'in God' (v. 16) and reassures him regarding Saul's pursuit. They enter into a covenant before Yahweh (v. 18), reaffirming their commitment to each other during this perilous time, which showcases the strength of their bond amid uncertainty.

betrayal

The Ziphites betray David to Saul, informing him of David’s hiding place (vv. 19-20). They approach Saul and offer to help him capture David, expressing their willingness to 'deliver him up into the king’s hand' (v. 20). This act of betrayal contrasts sharply with Jonathan's loyalty and reveals the precarious situation David faces as he is pursued.

God's protection

Throughout the chapter, God's protection over David is evident as Saul seeks him daily but fails to capture him (v. 14). When Saul surrounds David in the wilderness of Maon, a messenger arrives with news of a Philistine raid, which diverts Saul’s attention (v. 27). This intervention shows that despite the dangers, David remains under God’s safeguarding hand.

Chapter outline

How 1 Samuel 23 unfolds

  1. 1 Samuel 23:1–5 David Saves Keilah from the Philistines

    David learns that the Philistines are attacking Keilah and inquires of Yahweh whether he should engage them. Yahweh commands him to go, and David successfully defeats the Philistines, saving the city and its livestock (vv. 1-5).

  2. 1 Samuel 23:6–12 David Seeks Guidance About Saul

    Abiathar, the priest, arrives in Keilah with an ephod as David seeks further guidance about Saul's intentions. Yahweh confirms that Saul will come down and that the men of Keilah will betray David (vv. 6-12).

  3. 1 Samuel 23:13–18 David Flees into the Wilderness

    David and his six hundred men leave Keilah and travel into the wilderness of Ziph. Jonathan visits David in the woods to strengthen him, affirming that 'you will be king over Israel' (vv. 13-18).

  4. 1 Samuel 23:19–24 The Ziphites Inform Saul

    The Ziphites tell Saul that David hides in their strongholds and offer to help capture him. Saul instructs them to gather more information about David's location so he can pursue him (vv. 19-24).

  5. 1 Samuel 23:25–29 Saul Pursues but is Distracted

    Saul pursues David but receives news of a Philistine raid, forcing him to abandon the chase. This diversion allows David to escape to the strongholds of En Gedi (vv. 25-29).

Key verses

  • 1 Samuel 23:10-11David asks Yahweh about Saul's intentions to attack Keilah and whether the city will betray him, receiving confirmation of Saul's plans and the city's betrayal.

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Study questions

Questions for studying 1 Samuel 23

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v1, what are the Philistines doing to Keilah?
  2. observeIn v16, who strengthens David's hand in God?
  3. interpretDavid's inquiry in vv. 10-11: what does it show about his relationship with God?
  4. interpretThe Ziphites' actions in v19: what motivates them to betray David?
  5. applyWhen have you felt the need to flee from a difficult situation like David in v13?

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1 Samuel 23: frequently asked questions

What is 1 Samuel 23 about?+
David learns that the Philistines are attacking Keilah and robbing its threshing floors (vv. 1-2).
What is the key verse in 1 Samuel 23?+
1 Samuel 23:10-11: “Then David said, “O Yahweh, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Yahweh, the God of Israel, I beg you, tell your servant.” Yahweh said, “He will come down.”
What are the main themes of 1 Samuel 23?+
The main themes of 1 Samuel 23 are divine guidance, loyalty and friendship, betrayal, God's protection.

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