Or, with the ephod, to wit, the high priest’s ephod, in which were the Urim and Thummim, Exodus 28:30, which when Ahimelech and the rest of the priests went to Saul, were probably left in his hand, and to his care; which gave him the opportunity both of escaping, whilst Doeg the butcher was killing his brethren, and of bringing away the ephod, which Saul had oft grossly neglected, and now was justly deprived of it. read more
CRITICAL AND EXPOSITORY NOTES—1 Samuel 22:1. “Keilah.” A city of Judah, mentioned in Joshua 15:44, and identified by Lieut. Van de Velde with a site containing ruins, and now called Kila, a few miles from Hebron. (See Smith’s Biblical Dictionary.)1 Samuel 23:2. “Inquired of the Lord.” (See 1 Samuel 22:6.) “Save Keilah.” These words are a promise of victory.1 Samuel 23:3. “We be afraid,” etc. “As persecuted fugitives, we are always in danger from Saul, and now shall we march against the... read more
Chapter 23Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they're robbing their threshingfloors. So David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said to David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. And David's men said unto him, Behold, we're afraid here in Judah: how much worse if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines ( 1 Samuel 23:1-3 )?Now David didn't have a very brave army at this... read more
1 Samuel 23:1 . Keilah, a walled town in the south of Judah, near the sources of the brook Besor. 1 Samuel 23:4 . David enquired of the Lord yet again. Gideon also asked a double sign in time of fear and doubt, by the falling of dew on the fleece. 1 Samuel 23:7 . Saul said, God hath delivered him into my hand. Saul here consulted with his own heart, while David enquired of the Lord. 1 Samuel 23:18 . They two made a covenant. This was the third, or the renewal of the covenants.... read more
1 Samuel 23:4-26Arise, go down to Keilah.The training in the wildernessThe contrast between David at Nob or Gath and at Hareth and Keilah is most marked.1. It is God’s will he desires to know (1 Samuel 23:4). Truly David at this time waited only upon God, and his expectation was from Jehovah (Psalms 62:1-12). Hunger for Divine guidance is a gracious sign! The Master blessed such (Matthew 5:6). Such a state of heart is preparation surely for larger blessing.2. Obedience and humble reliance upon... read more
1Sa 23:6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, [that] he came down [with] an ephod in his hand. Ver. 6. With an ephod in his hand. ] Or, The ephod came into his hand; whence some think, that in catching up his clothes, in making up his pack to be packing, he lighted upon the high priest’s ephod, that had the Urim and Thummim in it, by chance rather than choice. a But it was surely a sweet providence of God, for the comfort of his poor servant David.... read more
when Abiathar: 1 Samuel 22:20 an ephod: 1 Samuel 14:3, 1 Samuel 14:18, 1 Samuel 14:36, 1 Samuel 14:37, Exodus 28:30, Exodus 28:31 Reciprocal: Exodus 28:4 - ephod Judges 17:5 - ephod 1 Samuel 23:2 - inquired 1 Samuel 23:9 - Bring 1 Kings 2:26 - barest Hosea 3:4 - ephod Mark 2:26 - Abiathar read more
And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.Ephod — With the Ephod, the high-priest's Ephod, wherein were the Urim and the Thummim, which when Ahimelech and the rest of the priests went to Saul, were probably left in his hand. This gave him the opportunity both of escaping, whilst Doeg the butcher was killing his brethren, and of bringing away the Ephod, which Saul now was justly deprived of. read more
DAVID’S FLIGHT TO RAMAH, AND SAUL’S PURSUIT, 1 Samuel 19:18 to 1 Samuel 24:18. David fled… to Samuel Whither could he better go for help and counsel at a time like this? Surely, he thinks, Samuel will defend me against Saul. He and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth Naioth is not to be regarded as a proper name. The word means habitations, dwelling places, and refers to the dwellings of the band of prophets over whom Samuel presided. The plural is used because of the number of cells or huts... read more
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Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 23:1-29
1 Samuel 23. David Escapes from Saul (J). 1 Samuel 23:1-1 Chronicles : . David hears that the Philistines are raiding the territory of Keilah (p. 31), a little S. of Adullam. He ascertains by oracles, probably using the ephod and the Urim and Thummim (pp. 100f.), that Yahweh approves of his going to the rescue; he thus overcomes the reluctance of his men. The expedition is entirely successful, but the ungrateful citizens of Keilah offered to surrender David and his men to Saul. It is quite... read more