1 Samuel 23:9

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 23:9

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 23:9

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 23:6-12

Misinterpretation and miscalculation. The facts are— 1 . The moral position of David at Keilah is strengthened by the presence of Abiathar with the ephod. 2 . Saul, believing David to be shut up in the city, prepares a force to lay siege to Keilah. 3 . David, aware of this, has recourse to the ephod, and asks through Abiathar whether Saul was really coming, and whether, in case he came, the men of Keilah would give him up to Saul. 4 . He receives an affirmative reply to... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 23:9-11

1 Samuel 23:9-11. Bring hither the ephod Which, doubtless, Abiathar put on; otherwise he could not have inquired of the Lord by it. The Lord said, He will come down He purposeth to come if thou continue here. For still both David’s question and God’s answer are conditional, upon supposition. As David’s being there was the only motive for Saul’s coming, so, if he departed, Saul could have no inducement to come. And accordingly we find he laid aside his design so soon as he was informed... 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 23:9

secretly practised = contrived. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 23:9

9. he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod—The consultation was made, and the prayer uttered, by means of the priest. The alternative conditions here described have often been referred to as illustrating the doctrine of God's foreknowledge and preordination of events. :-. DAVID ESCAPES TO ZIPH. 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

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