1 Samuel 23

Chap. XXIII. Ver. 1-29. David rescues Keilah, and escapes.—David, hearing that the Philistines were harassing the people of Keilah, a town of Judah, near Hebron, inquires of the Lord, by means of Abiathar, whether he should assist them; and being directed so to do, he attacks the enemy, and saves the inhabitants of that town. Saul finding David was within a walled town, now flatters himself that he shall take him: and with the cant of hypocrisy added to his maliciousness, cries, “God hath given him into my hands,” though those hands were but newly stained with the blood of his priests, and though God had long rejected him from the kingdom. David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him, and probably discovered that he had secret correspondents in this town.

He therefore inquires farther, by means of Abiathar, 1. Whether Saul would come; and, 2. Whether the people of Keilah would be so ungrateful as to deliver him up into his hands. The answer was in the affirmative to both inquiries: he therefore again fled into the wilderness of Ziph, where also the people proved treacherous; but Jonathan, whom his father had brought with him, from the fear of trusting him alone, now contrived to obtain an interview with David, which indeed seems to have been his last, and was no less friendly and affectionate than his former ones. Jonathan went to David in the wood, and strengthened his hand in God, and said unto him, “Fear not, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee: and that also Saul my father knoweth.”

Thus this amiable youth was happy to give up his succession [to the throne]…

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXIII. Ver. 1. Keilah.—Keilah was a city of Judah, situated, according to Eusebius, eight miles from Eleutheropolis, towards Hebron. Sozomen says, that the prophet Habakkuk’s tomb was shown there.—Bagster.

Ver. 2. Inquired of the Lord.—In what way David made this inquiry we are not told; but it was probably by means of Abiathar; and, therefore, it would seem that, with Houbigant, we should read the sixth verse immediately after the first.—This adventure was truly noble and patriotic. Had not David loved his country, and been above all motives of private and personal revenge, he would have rejoiced in this invasion of Judea, as producing a strong diversion in his favour, and embroiling his inveterate enemy.

In most cases, a man, with David’s wrongs, would have joined with the enemies of his country, and avenged himself on the author of his calamities; but he thinks of nothing but succouring Israel, and using his power and influence in behalf of his brethren.

Ver. 10. Hath certainly heard.—Hebrew, “Hearing hath heard.”