1 Samuel 23

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 23 of 31

1 And they declared to David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are plundering the threshing floors.

2 And David asked of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go? And shall I strike against these Philistines? And Jehovah said to David, Go, and you shall strike the Philistines and save Keilah.

3 And David's men said to him, Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; and what if we go to Keilah to the armies of the Philistines?

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Chapter Summary

David rescues Keilah. In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him. The Ziphites reveal him to Saul. At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines.

Key Hebrew Words

מַהֲרָ֣ acquire by paying purchase-price H4116 · TWOT 1153
מַֽעַרְכ֖וֹת row H4634 · TWOT 1694d
אֵפ֖וֹד ephod H646 · TWOT 142.1a
יְהוּדָֽה Judah H3063 · TWOT 850c
נַפְשׁ֑ soul H5315 · TWOT 1395a

People & Context

David Rescues Keilah

Hearing the Philistines are robbing the threshing floors of Keilah, David inquires of Jehovah twice, then goes down and delivers the city with a great…

David Flees Keilah

Saul hears David is in the gated city of Keilah and prepares a siege. David uses Abiathar's ephod to ask Jehovah if the men of Keilah will surrender h…

Jonathan Visits David in Ziph

While David hides in the wilderness of Ziph, Jonathan secretly visits him in the forest, encourages him in God, predicts David will be king, and they …

Timeline

David Rescues Keilah

Hearing the Philistines are robbing the threshing floors of Keilah, David inquires of Jehovah twice, then goes down and delivers the city with a great slaughter.

1 Samuel 23:1-5
David Flees Keilah

Saul hears David is in the gated city of Keilah and prepares a siege. David uses Abiathar's ephod to ask Jehovah if the men of Keilah will surrender him; learning they will, he and his 600 men flee.

1 Samuel 23:6-13
Jonathan Visits David in Ziph

While David hides in the wilderness of Ziph, Jonathan secretly visits him in the forest, encourages him in God, predicts David will be king, and they renew their covenant.

1 Samuel 23:14-18

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