1 Samuel 23 10

1 Samuel 23:10 kjv

Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

1 Samuel 23:10 nkjv

Then David said, "O LORD God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake.

1 Samuel 23:10 niv

David said, "LORD, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me.

1 Samuel 23:10 esv

Then David said, "O LORD, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account.

1 Samuel 23:10 nlt

Then David prayed, "O LORD, God of Israel, I have heard that Saul is planning to come and destroy Keilah because I am here.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 10 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 23:10, David earnestly appeals to the LORD God of Israel, affirming that he has reliably heard reports of King Saul's intent to invade Keilah. Saul's stated purpose for this attack is specifically "for my sake," meaning David believes Saul will destroy the city simply because David sought refuge there. This verse highlights David's desperate prayer, his acknowledgement of God as the true God of Israel, and his perception of Saul's escalating, unjust persecution.

1 Samuel 23 10 Context

1 Samuel 23 begins with David in Keilah, having just delivered it from the Philistines. This act of courage and kindness highlights David's integrity and his divine calling, even while fleeing from King Saul. However, Saul hears of David's location and intends to trap him there. David, recognizing the extreme danger this poses to the inhabitants of Keilah, seeks direct counsel from the LORD through Abiathar, who brought the ephod. This verse (23:10) is David's urgent plea to God, expressing the gravity of the situation and the threat to Keilah, based on intelligence he has received. The broader historical context is Saul's descent into paranoia and obsession, driven by envy and rebellion against God, seeking to kill God's anointed successor, David. This pursuit underscores the sharp contrast between Saul's human-driven actions and David's humble dependence on divine revelation for every step.

1 Samuel 23 10 Word Analysis

• Then said David: Implies an immediate, urgent response to the intelligence he received and his earlier inquiry (1 Sam 23:9). David is proactive in seeking God's input.
• O LORD God of Israel: In Hebrew, YHWH Elohei Yisrael (יהוה אלהי ישראל). YHWH (the unpronounceable divine name, often rendered LORD) emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness and redemptive power. Elohim (God) points to His supreme power and deity. Israel emphasizes God's specific relationship with His chosen people and David's position as His anointed king within that nation, directly appealing to God as the Sovereign over their history and destiny. This is a profound and weighty address.
• thy servant: Hebrew: ʿabdekā (עַבְדֶּךָ). David humbly identifies himself as God's servant, demonstrating his submission and dependence on divine authority. This contrasts sharply with Saul's behavior, who often acted out of self-will rather than servanthood. This humility positions David to receive God's counsel.
• hath certainly heard: Hebrew: šāmaʿa šāmaʿtî (שָׁמֹעַ שָׁמַעְתִּי). This uses the infinitive absolute with the finite verb, a strong Hebrew construction for emphasis, indicating that David "has indeed heard" or "most assuredly heard." It signifies the reliability and certainty of the report concerning Saul's plans, underscoring the immediate threat and urgency of David's plea.
• that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah: Hebrew: kî-šōʾl mivqēš lābôʾ Qĕʿîlâ (כי שאול מבקש לבוא קעילה). mivqēš (seeking, purposing) implies a determined and malicious intent on Saul's part. It's not a mere rumor but an established, evil purpose. Keilah, having been saved by David, now stands to suffer because of him.
• to destroy: Hebrew: lehašḥît (לְהַשְׁחִית). This verb signifies utter ruin, spoil, or corruption. It can refer to physical destruction. Saul's intent is not merely to capture David but to bring complete ruin upon Keilah, likely implying slaughter and pillage, as punishment for sheltering David or to force David out by devastating the innocent inhabitants.
• the city: Refers specifically to Keilah, the city David had just rescued from the Philistines.
• for my sake: Hebrew: bīglālî (בִּגְלָלִי). This phrase directly translates to "because of me," "on my account," or "for my cause." It highlights David's personal cost to Keilah, placing a heavy burden on his conscience. He recognizes that the innocent citizens are in jeopardy solely because he is there, presenting a moral dilemma of divine proportions.

1 Samuel 23 10 Bonus Section

• The phrase "LORD God of Israel" is a frequent invocation in the Books of Samuel and Kings, consistently marking God as the sovereign ruler and faithful covenant partner specifically of His chosen nation. David's use of it here emphasizes that his personal safety is intrinsically linked to the larger covenantal plan for Israel.
• The episode in Keilah showcases David’s ethical leadership. His immediate concern is for the innocent citizens of Keilah, not solely for his own survival. This moral integrity foreshadows his just reign and distinguishes him from Saul, whose decisions were increasingly self-serving.
• David's actions here reinforce the pattern of seeking the LORD for every significant decision, especially when facing danger or moral quandaries. This practice is foundational to discerning God's will and receiving divine protection, reflecting trust that God's plan is superior to any human strategy.

1 Samuel 23 10 Commentary

1 Samuel 23:10 marks a pivotal moment showcasing David's consistent and profound dependence on God's direct revelation amidst life-threatening persecution. Having learned of Saul's malicious plot to trap him in Keilah, David immediately resorts not to military strategy or flight, but to direct communion with God. His address, "O LORD God of Israel," is more than a mere prayer; it's a deeply theological affirmation of God's covenantal relationship with His people and His sovereignty over their history. David’s urgent inquiry, facilitated by Abiathar and the ephod (Urim and Thummim, though not explicitly named in 23:10, they are the implied means after v. 9), contrasts sharply with Saul's rejection of divine counsel, highlighting David as a king after God's own heart, even in exile.

The certainty conveyed by "hath certainly heard" reveals David’s trust in his intelligence but emphasizes his desire to confirm it with God, demonstrating that human information must always be submitted to divine confirmation. Saul's wicked intent "to destroy the city for my sake" reveals the depth of his malice, willing to harm innocent people to achieve his personal vendetta. This ethical dilemma – remaining and endangering Keilah, or leaving and preserving his life but possibly condemning the city – forms the backdrop of David's specific questions in the subsequent verses (23:11-12). This episode underscores the ongoing theme of divine providence protecting God’s anointed servant, illustrating God’s active involvement in the minute details of David's life, and providing clear direction when His servant earnestly seeks it.