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Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

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 23:6

And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah ,.... Either when he was there, or near the place: that he came down with an ephod in his hand ; not with a linen ephod on his back, which the priests in common wore, but the ephod with the Urim and Thummim in his hand, which was peculiar to the high priest; and his father the high priest being dead, it belonged to him, and therefore he took care to bring it with him; though the words may be literally... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:7

And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah ,.... No doubt it was told him what he came thither for, to relieve it, and deliver it out of the hands of the Philistines, and what success he had; which one would have thought would have reconciled his mind to him, and made him think well of them; but instead of that, it only led him to contrive mischief against him: and Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand ; as if the success he had given to David was against, him, and in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:8

And Saul called all the people together to war ,.... Or "caused them to hear" F13 ישמע "fecit audire", Montanus, Piscator. summoned them by an herald, whom he sent into all parts of the kingdom to proclaim war, and require them in his name to attend him; which was the prerogative of a king to do: to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men ; that was what he privately intended, but the pretence was to make war against the Philistines. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:9

And. David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him ,.... That is, plotted and contrived it, formed schemes in order to do him mischief, giving out one thing, and designing another; so he pretended war against the Philistines, but his intention was to come against Keilah, and take David there: and he said to Abiathar the priest, bring hither the ephod ; not for David to put on, but for the priest himself, that being clothed with it, and the Urim and Thummim in it, he might... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 23:6

Came down with an ephod - I think this verse should come immediately after 1 Samuel 23:1 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 23:8

Saul called all the people together - That is, all the people of that region or district, that they might scour the country, and hunt out David from all his haunts. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 23:9

Bring hither the ephod - It seems as if David himself, clothed with the ephod, had consulted the Lord; and 1 Samuel 23:10-12 ; contain the words of the consultation, and the Lord's answer. But see on 1 Samuel 23:2 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 23:6

When Abiathar … fled to David to Koilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand. Literally, "an ephod came down in his hand, and so, word for word, the Syriac. The object of this verse is to explain how it was that David (in 1 Samuel 23:2 and 1 Samuel 23:4 ) was able to inquire of Jehovah. The words to Keilah —Hebrew, Kelah-wards—do not mean that it was at Keilah that Abiathar joined David, but that he came in time to go thither with him. In 1 Samuel 22:20 it seems as if Abiathar... read more

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