1 Samuel 23:2 NIV

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 23:2

Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, shall I go and smite these Philistines ?.... For though David was well disposed to serve his country, and was desirous of freeing them from their enemies the Philistines, he might have some doubts in his mind whether it would be right for him to engage with them now; partly because he could not act under a commission from his prince, Saul the king; and partly because he had such a small number of forces with him, that it might be hazardous for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 23:2

Therefore David inquired of the Lord - In what way David made this inquiry we are not told, but it was probably by means of Abiathar; and therefore I think, with Houbigant that the sixth verse should be read immediately after the first. The adventure mentioned here was truly noble. Had not David loved his country, and been above all motives of private and personal revenge, he would have rejoiced in this invasion of Judah as producing a strong diversion in his favor, and embroiling... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:2-5

David enquired of Jehovah. This seems to show that Abiathar was already with David, as the prophet Gad had no ephod, and at this time, and for a considerable period subsequently, the usual way of consulting God was by the Urim and Thummim (see 1 Samuel 23:6 ). Though the answer was a command to go, yet David's men hesitated; not that they had any doubt of the immediate result, but, regarding Saul as their most dangerous enemy, they were unwilling to embroil themselves also with the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 23:2-4

If Gad was with David at the forest of Hareth 1 Samuel 22:5, and there inquired for him of the Lord 1 Samuel 23:2,1 Samuel 23:4, but did not accompany him to Keilah, and if Abiathar’s flight occurred at the time of David’s being at Keilah, we have an additional striking instance of God’s watchful providential care of David in thus sending Abiathar to supply the place of Gad at so critical a moment. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 23:2

1 Samuel 23:2. David inquired of the Lord In what way he made inquiry is not certain, as it seems from 1Sa 23:6 that Abiathar had not yet brought to David the sacred ephod, with all things belonging to it that were made use of in consulting God. Shall I go and smite these Philistines? We have here a remarkable instance of David’s love to his country; unto which he did not become an enemy when he was banished from it. On the contrary, he hasted to its assistance unsolicited. This action of... 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 23:2

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 23:2

1 Samuel 23:2. David enquired of the Lord, &c.— This was one of the noblest adventures of David's life, and perhaps the most extraordinary of any recorded in history. The Philistines, probably encouraged by David's disgrace and Saul's distraction, invaded Judah, and besieged Keilah, wasting the country all around it. Another man in David's place would have rejoiced at this invasion, and perhaps encouraged it; and this both from self-preservation and policy: First, Because he had nothing to... read more