1 Samuel 23 1

1 Samuel 23:1 kjv

Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.

1 Samuel 23:1 nkjv

Then they told David, saying, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors."

1 Samuel 23:1 niv

When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,"

1 Samuel 23:1 esv

Now they told David, "Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors."

1 Samuel 23:1 nlt

One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 1 Meaning

The first verse of 1 Samuel chapter 23 establishes a critical moment in David’s fugitive life. It reveals that information reached David concerning a Philistine invasion of Keilah, a city within the territory of Judah. The Philistines were not merely attacking but specifically engaging in an act of economic warfare: looting the city's vital threshing floors. This action by the Philistines targeted the food supply of the Israelite inhabitants, indicative of their predatory intent and the severity of the threat to the community. David, though an outlaw himself and pursued by King Saul, is presented as the leader to whom the people turn in their distress.

1 Samuel 23 1 Context

Chapter 23 opens in a period where David is fleeing for his life from King Saul, who is relentlessly pursuing him. David has already gathered a band of about 600 distressed and indebted men, seeking refuge in the wilderness and caves (1 Sam 22). Despite being a fugitive, David continues to demonstrate the characteristics of a righteous leader chosen by God. The broader historical context is one of ongoing conflict between Israel and their Philistine neighbors, who consistently threatened Israelite sovereignty and exploited their resources. Saul, the reigning king, has repeatedly demonstrated disobedience to God and a preoccupation with his own power and the pursuit of David, rather than fulfilling his God-given duty to protect his people from external threats like the Philistines. The incident at Keilah highlights this contrast and brings David into an active role as a defender of Israel.

1 Samuel 23 1 Word analysis

• Now they told David: The anonymous "they" refers to messengers or survivors from Keilah who sought David out. This indicates David’s established reputation as a formidable warrior and a source of help, even though he was an outcast. It shows that the people, when in true distress, bypassed Saul and looked to David for protection, implicitly recognizing his divine calling over Saul’s failing monarchy.
• saying, "Behold, the Philistines": The Philistines (Hebrew: Pĕlishtīm) were the dominant maritime people and chief antagonists of Israel throughout this period. Their actions represent a constant, pressing external threat to God's people, often symbolizing ungodly opposition.
• are fighting against Keilah: Keilah (Hebrew: Qĕʿîlâ) was a fortified city in the Judean Shephelah, listed as a city of Judah (Josh 15:44). Its location near the Philistine border made it vulnerable. The word "fighting" signifies an act of war or aggressive military engagement.
• and are robbing the threshing floors: The "threshing floors" (Hebrew: gōrānaîm) were vital open areas where harvested grain was threshed to separate the valuable kernels from the stalks. Robbing them was an act of extreme economic devastation, aiming to strip the community of its primary food source and wealth after the harvest. This was more than a mere raid; it was an act designed to inflict widespread suffering and effectively starve the population into submission or dependence. It exposed the people's immediate vulnerability and need.

Words-group analysis

• "Now they told David": This phrase emphasizes the shift of people's trust. Instead of turning to King Saul, their legitimate ruler, they appeal to David, a persecuted fugitive. This underscores David’s leadership, even in adversity, and the growing perception of his rightful place as Israel’s true deliverer.
• "the Philistines are fighting against Keilah": This group of words immediately sets up a life-or-death scenario for an Israelite city, highlighting the perennial threat from the Philistines and the active suffering of God’s people.
• "and are robbing the threshing floors": This clarifies the specific, grievous nature of the Philistine attack. It’s not just a battle for territory; it’s an economic assault designed to cripple and subjugate the inhabitants by destroying their sustenance, thereby making their immediate aid critical. This attack during the harvest season was calculated to maximize impact and famine.

1 Samuel 23 1 Bonus section

This incident serves as a significant prophetic foreshadowing. Just as David, an unlikely and exiled figure, acts to deliver Israel from its external enemies while the reigning king is derelict in his duties, so too does Christ, the true Son of David, come to deliver humanity from sin and death, conquering our ultimate enemy while earthly rulers often oppose or fail to understand His reign. Furthermore, this event highlights the "messianic paradox" – the anointed king (David) must endure suffering and exile before ascending to his rightful throne and exercising full power, mirroring Christ's path of suffering before glorification. The people turning to David rather than Saul in their distress shows a shift in the perceived source of deliverance, pointing to God's sovereign hand raising up His chosen deliverer.

1 Samuel 23 1 Commentary

1 Samuel 23:1 initiates a compelling episode demonstrating David's character, faith, and fitness for kingship, even as he lives as a persecuted outlaw. The news of the Philistines plundering Keilah’s threshing floors underscores the deep economic and existential threat faced by the Israelite communities due to constant Philistine aggression. It’s an immediate cry for help to protect the very sustenance of the people. David's willingness to respond, despite his precarious personal safety due to Saul's relentless pursuit, showcases his compassionate shepherd’s heart for his people and his proactive dedication to defending God's covenant nation, regardless of his own circumstances. This act sharply contrasts with King Saul's failure to protect his kingdom, being more obsessed with hunting David than combating the nation’s true enemies. It highlights that true leadership from God's perspective is not about earthly power or personal safety, but about humble obedience and sacrificial care for the flock entrusted to one.