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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>1 Samuel 23 Christian Standard Bible</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/1_samuel/23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/1_samuel/23-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">CSB</a> > 1 Samuel 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="../menu.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../1_samuel/22.htm" title="1 Samuel 22">◄</a> 1 Samuel 23 <a href="../1_samuel/24.htm" title="1 Samuel 24">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">Christian Standard Bible</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/csb/esv/1_samuel/23.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Verses"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><section epub:type="chapter" id="csb-1_Samuel.23" /><h3 class="head1">Deliverance at Keilah</h3><p class="noind"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.1" /><A name="2"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>It was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.1.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> and raiding the threshing floors.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.2" /> <A name="3"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>So David inquired of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>:<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.2.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> “Should I launch an attack against these Philistines? ”</p><p class="scripture">The L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> answered David, “Launch an attack against the Philistines and rescue Keilah.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.3" /> <A name="4"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>But David’s men said to him, “Look, we’re afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces! ”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.4" /> <A name="5"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Once again, David inquired of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>, and the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> answered him, “Go at once to Keilah, for I will hand the Philistines over to you.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.4.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.5" /> <A name="6"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, drove their livestock away, and inflicted heavy losses on them. So David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.6" /> <A name="7"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, and he brought an ephod with him.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.7" /> <A name="8"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>When it was reported to Saul that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with barred gates.” <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.8" /> <A name="9"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Then Saul summoned all the troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.9" /> <A name="10"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to the priest Abiathar,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.9.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> “Bring the ephod.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.9.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a></p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.10" /> <A name="11"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Then David said, “L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> God of Israel, your servant has reliable information that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the town because of me. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.11" /> <A name="12"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> God of Israel, please tell your servant.”</p><p class="scripture">The L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> answered, “He will come down.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.12" /> <A name="13"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Then David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul? ”</p><p class="scripture">“They will,”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.12.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> responded.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.13" /> <A name="14"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>So David and his men, numbering about six hundred,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.13.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> left Keilah at once and moved from place to place.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.13.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> When it was reported to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he called off the expedition. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.14" /> <A name="15"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>David then stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.14.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand David over to him.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.14.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a></p><h3 class="head1">A Renewed Covenant</h3><p class="noind"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.15" /> <A name="16"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in Horesh when he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.16" /> <A name="17"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.1_Samuel.23.16.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">†</span></a> in God,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.16.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.17" /> <A name="18"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>saying, “Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. You yourself will be king over Israel,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.17.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> and I’ll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.17.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.18" /> <A name="19"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Then the two of them made a covenant in the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>’s presence.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.18.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> Afterward, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.</p><h3 class="head1">David’s Narrow Escape</h3><p class="noind"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.19" /> <A name="20"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Some Ziphites<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.19.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Isn’t it true that David is hiding among us in the strongholds in Horesh on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon? <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.20" /> <A name="21"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>So now, whenever the king wants to come down, let him come down. As for us, we will be glad to hand him over to the king.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.20.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a></p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.21" /> <A name="22"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>“May you be blessed by the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>,” replied Saul, “for you have shown concern for me.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.21.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.22" /> <A name="23"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Go and check again. Investigate<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.1_Samuel.23.22.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">†</span></a> where he goes<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.1_Samuel.23.22.2"><span class="fnAlphabet">†</span></a> and who has seen him there; they tell me he is extremely cunning. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.23" /> <A name="24"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Investigate<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.1_Samuel.23.23.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">†</span></a> all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with accurate information, and I’ll go with you. If it turns out he really is in the region, I’ll search for him among all the clans<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.1_Samuel.23.23.2"><span class="fnAlphabet">†</span></a> of Judah.” <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.24" /> <A name="25"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>So they went to Ziph ahead of Saul.</p><p class="scripture">Now David and his men were in the wilderness near Maon<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.24.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> in the Arabah south of Jeshimon, <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.25" /> <A name="26"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>and Saul and his men went to look for him. When David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. Saul heard of this and pursued David there.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.26" /> <A name="27"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>Saul went along one side of the mountain and David and his men went along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away from Saul, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.26.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.27" /> <A name="28"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Then a messenger came to Saul saying, “Come quickly, because the Philistines have raided the land! ” <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.28" /> <A name="29"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to engage the Philistines. Therefore, that place was named the Rock of Separation. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-1_Samuel.23.29" /> <span class="reftext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>From there David went up and stayed in the strongholds of En-gedi.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.1_Samuel.23.29.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">†</span></a></p><br /><section id="footnotes-1_Samuel.23" class="fnSection"><aside id="fn.1_Samuel.23.16.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.16">23:16</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">and strengthened his hand</span></aside><aside id="fn.1_Samuel.23.22.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.22">23:22</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">Know and see</span></aside><aside id="fn.1_Samuel.23.22.2"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.22">23:22</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">watch his place where his foot will be</span></aside><aside id="fn.1_Samuel.23.23.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.23">23:23</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">See and know</span></aside><aside id="fn.1_Samuel.23.23.2"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.23">23:23</a></span> Or <span class="italic">thousands</span></aside><br /><section id="cross-references-1_Samuel.23" class="xrfSection"><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.1.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.1">23:1</a></span> Jos 15:44; Neh 3:17–18</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.2.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.2">23:2</a></span> 1Sm 23:4,6,9–12; 2Sm 5:19,23</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.4.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.4">23:4</a></span> Jos 8:7; Jdg 7:7</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.9.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.9">23:9</a></span> 1Sm 22:20</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.9.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.9">23:9</a></span> 1Sm 23:6; 30:7</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.12.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.12">23:12</a></span> Jdg 15:10–13; 1Sm 23:20</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.13.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.13">23:13</a></span> 1Sm 22:2; 25:13</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.13.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.13">23:13</a></span> 2Sm 15:20</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.14.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.14">23:14</a></span> Jos 15:55; 2Ch 11:8</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.14.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.14">23:14</a></span> Ps 32:7</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.16.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.16">23:16</a></span> 1Sm 30:6</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.17.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.17">23:17</a></span> 1Sm 16:1–13; 24:20–22</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.17.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.17">23:17</a></span> 1Sm 20:31</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.18.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.18">23:18</a></span> 1Sm 18:3; 20:12–17,42</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.19.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.19">23:19</a></span> 1Sm 26:1; Ps 54 title</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.20.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.20">23:20</a></span> 1Sm 23:12</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.21.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.21">23:21</a></span> 1Sm 22:8</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.24.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.24">23:24</a></span> Jos 15:55; 1Sm 25:2</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.26.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.26">23:26</a></span> Ps 17:9</aside><aside id="xrf.1_Samuel.23.29.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-1_Samuel.23.29">23:29</a></span> Jos 15:62; 2Ch 20:2</aside><br /><section id="study-notes-1_Samuel.23" class="snSection"><br /></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Christian Standard Bible. 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