1 Samuel 23:1-25:44 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:1-6

Now we find why the prophet Gad (by divine direction, no doubt) ordered David to go into the land of Judah, 1 Sam. 22:5. It was that, since Saul neglected the public safety, he might take care of it, notwithstanding the ill treatment that was given him; for he must render good for evil, and therein be a type of him who not only ventured his life, but laid down his life, for those that were his enemies. I. Tidings are brought to David, as to the patron and protector of his country's liberties,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:1

Then they told David ,.... Either the men of Keilah sent to him, being near them, or some well wishers of theirs, and of their country, acquainted him with their case: saying, behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah ; had laid siege to it, being a fortified place, 1 Samuel 23:7 ; it was a city in the tribe of Judah, on the borders of the Philistines; of which See Gill on Joshua 15:44 , and they rob the threshing floors ; took away the corn upon them, which they were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 23:1

The Philistines fight against Keilah - Keilah was a fortified town in the tribe of Judah near to Eleutheropolis, on the road to Hebron. Rob the threshing-floors - This was an ancient custom of the Philistines, Midianites, and others. See Judges 6:4 . When the corn was ripe and fit to be threshed, and they had collected it at the threshing-floors, which were always in the open field, then their enemies came upon them and spoiled them of the fruits of their harvest. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:1

ADVENTURES OF DAVID AT KEILAH AND IN THE WILDERNESS OF ZIPH ( 1 Samuel 23:1-29 ). EXPOSITION DAVID RESCUES KEILAH , BUT HAS TO ESCAPE FROM THE TREACHERY OF ITS INHABITANTS ( 1 Samuel 23:1-13 ). They told David, etc. The return of David into his own land was quickly followed by exploits which not only increased his power, but turned the eyes of all the people towards him as their protector. His first success was the deliverance... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:1-5

Deference to the Divine will. The facts are— 1 . David, being informed of the inroads of the Philistines against Keilah, seeks counsel of God. 2 . Being directed to go against them, he finds his men in doubt of the safety of the enterprise. 3 . Hence, to satisfy them he makes further inquiry of the Lord, and is again directed to go, with promise of victory. Acting on these instructions, he saves Keilah. The moral degeneracy of Saul seems to have been accompanied with some... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 23:1

David’s growing importance, fugitive as he was, is marked by this appeal to him for deliverance from the Philistines. The “threshing floors” were the natural objects of plunder Judges 6:11. Keilah was in the Shephelah (marginal reference), probably close to the Philistine border, but its site is uncertain. Joshua 2:11 Samuel Joshua 23:1 Philippians 1:0 read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 23:1

1 Samuel 23:1. Then they told Or rather, Now they had told David. For it is evident from 1 Samuel 23:6, that David had received the information here referred to, and had even delivered the inhabitants of Keilah before Abiathar came to tell him of the slaughter of the priests. The Philistines fight against Keilah Probably the Philistines were encouraged to make this inroad into the land of Israel by hearing that David was forced to flee his country, and that God had departed from Saul.... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:1-29

Saul’s fierce hunt (23:1-24:22)Since Abiathar had brought with him the high priest’s ephod (containing the Urim and Thummim), David was able to ask and receive God’s direct guidance. God’s first direction was to rescue the Israelite town of Keilah from the raiding Philistines (23:1-6). As soon as he had defeated the Philistines, David withdrew from Keilah. He knew that Saul’s army was larger and better equipped than his. He knew also that he could not trust the people of Keilah to stand with... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 23:1

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 23:1

DAVID'S EXPERIENCES AT KEILAH AND AT ZIPHThis and the following chapters of First Samuel relate a number of David's experiences during that long period in which he was an outlaw and a fugitive, always fleeing from one place to another, ever striving to avoid the constant efforts of King Saul to bring about his death.DAVID RESCUES KEILAH FROM THE PHILISTINES"Now they told David, "Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors." Therefore, David... read more