1 Samuel 23:13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:7-13

Here is, I. Saul contriving within himself the destruction of David (1 Sam. 23:7, 8): He heard that he had come to Keilah; and did he not hear what brought him thither? Was it not told him that he had bravely relieved Keilah and delivered it out of the hands of the Philistines? This, one would think, should have put Saul upon considering what honour and dignity should be done to David for this. But, instead of that, he catches at it as an opportunity of doing David a mischief. An ungrateful... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:13

Then David and his men, which were about six hundred ,.... Having had an increase of two hundred since he was at the cave of Adullam, 1 Samuel 22:1 , and upon his relief of Keilah, 1 Samuel 23:5 ; so that he sustained no loss of men by fighting with the Philistines, but had an addition to his small forces: arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go ; not knowing whither they should go, having no particular place in view; but went where they thought they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:9-13

Saul secretly practised mischief. This phrase is correctly translated "devised evil" in Proverbs 3:29 ; Proverbs 14:22 . There is no idea of secrecy in the Hebrew verb, which literally means "to work in metals," "to forge." Saul's purpose was open enough, and when David heard of it he tells Abiathar to bring the ephod, and then offers earnest prayer to God for counsel and advice. In his prayer his two questions are put inversely to the logical order, but in accordance with their relative... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:13-14

David's wanderings in the wilderness. "And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand" ( 1 Samuel 23:14 ). From the time of his leaving Gath till his return ( 1 Samuel 27:2 ) David dwelt in the following places successively— 1 . The cave of Adullam. 2 . Mizpeh of Moab. 3 . The forest of Hareth. 4 . Keilah. 5 . The wilderness of Ziph (Hachilah, Horesh). 6 . The wilderness of Maon. 7 . En-gedi. 8 . "The hold" ( 1 Samuel 24:22 ). ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:13-18

Deepening sorrows and new encouragement. The facts are— 1 . David, deeming it unsafe to remain in Keilah, goes forth with his men in uncertainty as to their destination. 2 . Saul, forbearing to march against Keilah, seeks in vain to capture David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 . While David, fully aware of Saul's evil intent, remains in the wilderness, he is comforted by a visit from Jonathan, who expresses his confidence in David's future supremacy and renews with him a covenant... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 23:13-14

1 Samuel 23:13-14. Which were about six hundred His forces were increased two hundred since his famous victory over the Philistines at Keilah. Whithersoever they could go To the first convenient place of safety to which a way lay open. In the wilderness of Ziph A mountainous wilderness, within the precincts of the tribe of Judah, and upon the confines of Edom, Joshua 15:2. It was not far from Maon and Carmel, 1 Samuel 23:25, 1 Samuel 25:5. God delivered him not into his hand 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 23:1-14

David at Keilah 23:1-14David went to rescue the people of Keilah from the Philistines, but then he had to flee from that town because the citizens were going to hand him over to Saul. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 23:1-29

2. Saul’s pursuit of David ch. 23The literary spotlight now moves back from Saul to David and his activities."We have just witnessed how Saul, in an outburst of rage, became responsible for the destruction of the priestly city of Nob. In ch. 23, David, even while on the run from Saul, is shown saving a city from Philistine attack." [Note: Gordon, I & II Samuel . . ., p. 175.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 23:6-14

David’s escape from Keilah 23:6-14Abiathar had evidently remained in the forest of Hereth when David took his men to attack the Philistines in Keilah (cf. 1 Samuel 22:20-23). Now the priest joined David at Keilah (1 Samuel 23:6). The presence of the ephod made it possible for David to continue to obtain guidance from the Lord in answer to his prayers.Saul piously claimed that God had delivered David into his hands (1 Samuel 23:7). Obviously God had not done this since David was the Lord’s... read more

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