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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When David was told, &#8220Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now they told David, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they informed David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are plundering the threshing floors.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then they told David, saying, &#8220Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are plundering the threshing floors.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then they told David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are plundering the threshing floors.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then they told David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are pillaging the threshing floors.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then they told David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are plundering (robbing) the threshing floors [of the grain].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and raiding the threshing floors.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It was reported to David: &#8220Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and raiding the threshing floors.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing-floors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />One day some people told David, "The Philistines keep attacking the town of Keilah and stealing grain from the threshing place." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />David was asked, "Did you know that the Philistines are fighting against Keilah? They are robbing the threshing floors." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />David heard that the Philistines were attacking the town of Keilah and were stealing the newly harvested grain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Someone told David, "Look, the Philistines are fighting at Keilah and are plundering the threshing floors."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now it was reported to David, ?Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They told David, "The Philistines are fighting in Keilah and are looting the threshing floors."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing floors."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />David was told, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing floors.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they declare to David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are spoiling the threshing-floors.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they declare to David, saying, 'Lo, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are spoiling the threshing-floors.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will announce to David, saying, Behold, the rovers fighting against Keilah, and they are plundering the threshing-floors.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they told David, saying: Behold the Philistines fight against Ceila, and they rob the barns. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they reported to David, saying, “Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are plundering the grain stores.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />David was informed that the Philistines were attacking Keilah and plundering the threshing floors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now they told David, “The Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing floors.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />THEN they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they revealed to David and they said to him: “Behold, the Philistines are fighting in Qayla and they are plundering the granary!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they told David, saying: 'Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it was told David, saying, behold, the Philistines war in Keila, and they rob, they trample on the threshing-floors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/23-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=6725" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/23.htm">David Delivers Keilah</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: way·yag·gi·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To be conspicuous. ">Now it was reported</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: lə·ḏā·wiḏ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">to David,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Look,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: p̄ə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">the Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrew/3898.htm" title="3898: nil·ḥā·mîm (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To feed on, to consume, to battle. A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle.">are fighting</a> <a href="/hebrew/7084.htm" title="7084: biq·‘î·lāh (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- A city in Judah. Perhaps from qala' in the sense of inclosing; citadel; Keilah, a place in Palestine.">against Keilah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: wə·hêm·māh (Conj-w:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8154.htm" title="8154: šō·sîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To spoil, plunder. Or shasah; a primitive root; to plunder.">and looting</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1637.htm" title="1637: hag·go·rā·nō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- Threshing floor. From an unused root meaning to smooth; a threshing- floor; by analogy, any open area.">the threshing floors.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/6-11.htm">Judges 6:11-14</a></span><br />Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. / And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” / “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-17.htm">2 Samuel 5:17-25</a></span><br />When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-8.htm">2 Kings 6:8-12</a></span><br />Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” / Then the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful not to pass by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” / So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-11.htm">Nehemiah 4:11-14</a></span><br />And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.” / At that time the Jews who lived nearby came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” / So I stationed men behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-39.htm">Psalm 18:39-42</a></span><br />You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. / You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me. / They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—to the LORD, but He did not answer. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/144-1.htm">Psalm 144:1-2</a></span><br />Of David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. / He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer. He is my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10-13</a></span><br />Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. / Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-19.htm">Jeremiah 1:19</a></span><br />They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16-20</a></span><br />Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. / But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. / On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-47.htm">Matthew 26:47-56</a></span><br />While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people. / Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” / Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-11.htm">Mark 13:11</a></span><br />But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-12.htm">Luke 21:12-15</a></span><br />But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors. / This will be your opportunity to serve as witnesses. / So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-1.htm">John 7:1</a></span><br />After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-39.htm">John 10:39</a></span><br />At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-29.htm">Acts 4:29-31</a></span><br />And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness, / as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” / After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing floors.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/15-44.htm">Joshua 15:44</a></b></br> And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/3-17.htm">Nehemiah 3:17,18</a></b></br> After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part… </p><p class="hdg">rob the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-16.htm">Leviticus 26:16</a></b></br> I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-33.htm">Deuteronomy 28:33,51</a></b></br> The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/6-4.htm">Judges 6:4,11</a></b></br> And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/22-22.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-22.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/joshua/15-44.htm">Keilah</a> <a href="/joshua/15-44.htm">Kei'lah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-8.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-34.htm">Plundering</a> <a href="/judges/9-25.htm">Rob</a> <a href="/luke/6-30.htm">Robbing</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-34.htm">Spoiling</a> <a href="/ruth/3-14.htm">Threshing</a> <a href="/daniel/2-35.htm">Threshingfloors</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-39.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/23-2.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-1.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-2.htm">Keilah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-2.htm">Kei'lah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-2.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-34.htm">Plundering</a> <a href="/esther/8-15.htm">Rob</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-24.htm">Robbing</a> <a href="/ezra/9-7.htm">Spoiling</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-6.htm">Threshing</a> <a href="/daniel/2-35.htm">Threshingfloors</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-25.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-1.htm">David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm">God showing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-13.htm">he escapes from Keilah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-19.htm">The Ziphites discover him to Saul</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-25.htm">At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/23-29.htm">He dwells at En Gedi</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now it was reported to David</b><br>David, at this time, is in the wilderness, fleeing from King Saul. The report reaching David signifies his growing reputation as a leader and protector of Israel, even while he is not yet king. This reflects the divine favor and anointing upon David, as he is seen as a deliverer by the people. The communication of such reports to David indicates the trust and hope placed in him by the Israelites.<p><b>“Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah</b><br>Keilah is a fortified city in the lowlands of Judah, strategically important due to its location. The Philistines, perennial enemies of Israel, often attacked border towns to weaken Israel's defenses and economy. This attack on Keilah highlights the constant threat the Philistines posed during this period. The mention of Keilah connects to the broader narrative of David's battles against the Philistines, which foreshadow his future role as king and protector of Israel.<p><b>and looting the threshing floors.”</b><br>Threshing floors were critical to the agricultural economy, as they were used for processing grain. By looting these, the Philistines aimed to cripple the food supply and economic stability of the region. This act of aggression underscores the Philistines' strategy of economic warfare. The looting of threshing floors also symbolizes the spiritual and physical oppression faced by Israel, which David, as a type of Christ, is called to alleviate. This mirrors the spiritual deliverance that Christ brings, rescuing His people from the oppression of sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The anointed future king of Israel, currently on the run from King Saul. David is a central figure in this account, demonstrating leadership and reliance on God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A recurring enemy of Israel, known for their military prowess and frequent conflicts with the Israelites. They are attacking Keilah in this passage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/keilah.htm">Keilah</a></b><br>A town in the lowlands of Judah, significant for its agricultural resources, particularly its threshing floors, which are being looted by the Philistines.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/threshing_floors.htm">Threshing Floors</a></b><br>Agricultural sites where grain is separated from chaff. The looting of these sites by the Philistines represents a direct threat to the sustenance and economy of Keilah.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/report_to_david.htm">Report to David</a></b><br>The act of informing David about the Philistine attack, indicating his role as a leader and protector, even while he is not yet king.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_in_crisis.htm">Leadership in Crisis</a></b><br>David's response to the report about Keilah demonstrates proactive leadership. Even when not in a position of official power, he takes responsibility for the welfare of others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance.htm">Seeking God's Guidance</a></b><br>Before taking action, David seeks God's direction (as seen in subsequent verses). This emphasizes the importance of seeking divine guidance in decision-making.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/protection_of_the_vulnerable.htm">Protection of the Vulnerable</a></b><br>The attack on Keilah's threshing floors represents a threat to the community's livelihood. David's concern for Keilah underscores the biblical principle of protecting and defending the vulnerable.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_the_face_of_adversity.htm">Courage in the Face of Adversity</a></b><br>David's willingness to confront the Philistines, despite his own precarious situation, exemplifies courage and faith in God's provision and protection.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_keilah's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What is the significance of Keilah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_david's_'ten_thousands'_song_true.htm">1 Samuel 18:5–7: Did the women’s song about David killing “ten thousands” reflect historical reality or an exaggeration? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_decision_guidance_is_in_the_bible.htm">What guidance does the Bible offer for decision making?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_david's_foreskin_story_plausible.htm">1 Samuel 18:17-27: Is the story of David collecting Philistine foreskins historically plausible, and what does it imply about the reliability of the text?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">Then they told David. . . .</span>--For this and like duties the prophet Gad (<a href="/1_samuel/22-5.htm" title="And the prophet Gad said to David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get you into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.">1Samuel 22:5</a>) had summoned David to return with his armed band to Judah. There was a great work ready to his hand in his own country at that juncture. Saul was becoming more and more neglectful of his higher duty--that of protecting his people; as time went on and his malady increased, his whole thoughts were concentrated on David's imaginary crimes, and the history of the latter part of his reign is little more than a recital of his sad, bewildered efforts to compass the young hero's destruction. The task of protecting the people from the constant marauding expeditions of the Philistines, and probably of the neighbouring nations, then was entrusted to David. To point this out to the son of Jesse was evidently the first great mission of Gad the seer. Samuel's mind was, no doubt, busied in this matter. It is more than probable that Gad was first dispatched to join David at the instigation of the aged, but still mentally vigorous, prophet.<p><span class= "bld">Keilah.</span>--"This town lay in the lowlands of Judah, not far from the Philistine frontier, some miles south of Adullam, being perched on a steep hill overlooking the valley of Elah, not far from the thickets of Hareth" (Conder; <span class= "ital">Tent Life in Palestine</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They told David,</span> etc. The return of David into his own land was quickly followed by exploits which not only increased his power, but turned the eyes of all the people towards him as their protector. His first success was the deliverance of the city of <span class="cmt_word">Keilah</span> from a body of Philistines who were plundering it of the produce of its harvest. This place lay a few miles south of the stronghold of Adullam, and itself occupied a defensible position, being perched on a steep hill overlooking the valley of Elah, not far from the thickets of Hareth (Condor, 'Tent Work,' 2:88). Being thus at no great distance from the Philistine border, a band of men started thence on a foray for the purpose of robbing the <span class="cmt_word">threshing floors</span>. As no rain falls in Palestine in the harvest season (<a href="/1_samuel/12-17.htm">1 Samuel 12:17</a>), the corn is threshed out in the open air by a heavy wooden sledge made of two boards, and curved up in front, with pieces of basalt inserted for teeth, drawn over it by horses, or it is trampled out by cattle. Conder ('Tent Work,' 2:259) describes the threshing floor as "a broad flat space on open ground, generally high. Sometimes the floor is on a flat rocky hill top, and occasionally it is in an open valley, down which there is a current of air; but it is always situated where most wind can be found, because at the threshing season high winds never occur, and the grain is safely stored before the autumn storms commence." As the grain after winnowing is made into heaps until it can be carried home, there is always a period when the threshing floors have to be watched to guard them from depredation, and this was the time chosen by the Philistines for a foray in force. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/23-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now it was reported</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּגִּ֥דוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yag·gi·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to David,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְדָוִ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḏā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Look,</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּ֤ה</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Philistines</span><br /><span class="heb">פְלִשְׁתִּים֙</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ə·liš·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> </span><span class="str2">Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are fighting</span><br /><span class="heb">נִלְחָמִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(nil·ḥā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3898.htm">Strong's 3898: </a> </span><span class="str2">To feed on, to consume, to battle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against Keilah</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּקְעִילָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(biq·‘î·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7084.htm">Strong's 7084: </a> </span><span class="str2">Keilah -- a city in Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and looting</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁסִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(šō·sîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8154.htm">Strong's 8154: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spoil, plunder</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the threshing floors.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגֳּרָנֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(hag·go·rā·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1637.htm">Strong's 1637: </a> </span><span class="str2">A threshing-floor, open area</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/23-1.htm">1 Samuel 23:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/23-1.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 23:1 They told David saying Behold the Philistines (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/22-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 22:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 22:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/23-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 23:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 23:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>