1 Samuel 23 13

1 Samuel 23:13 kjv

Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.

1 Samuel 23:13 nkjv

So David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah and went wherever they could go. Then it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah; so he halted the expedition.

1 Samuel 23:13 niv

So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there.

1 Samuel 23:13 esv

Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition.

1 Samuel 23:13 nlt

So David and his men ? about 600 of them now ? left Keilah and began roaming the countryside. Word soon reached Saul that David had escaped, so he didn't go to Keilah after all.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 13 Meaning

1 Samuel 23:13 describes a pivotal moment in David's life as a fugitive: Following God's direct revelation that the people of Keilah would betray him to Saul, David and his approximately six hundred loyal followers abandoned the city they had just delivered from Philistine oppression. Their departure into an uncertain wilderness, "wherever they could go," caused Saul to call off his immediate plan to besiege Keilah, confirming David's escape. The verse highlights David's proactive faith, God's constant protection, and the ever-present uncertainty in the path of God's chosen leader.

1 Samuel 23 13 Context

1 Samuel 23:13 occurs during David's years as a fugitive from King Saul, who, consumed by jealousy and fear, sought to kill David. In the preceding verses (23:1-6), David bravely consulted the Lord via Abiathar, the priest, using the ephod (containing the Urim and Thummim), and rescued the Philistine-besieged city of Keilah. David's noble act paradoxically put him in a vulnerable position within a fortified city, prompting Saul to mobilize his forces to capture him there (23:7-8). Knowing Saul's intent, David again inquired of the Lord (23:9-11) asking if the citizens of Keilah would betray him. The Lord, in a crucial revelation, affirmed that they would deliver him. This intelligence, though grim, validated David's continuous dependence on God's direction, leading directly to the events of verse 13 where David and his men fled. Historically, this period reflects the political instability and constant threats from both internal and external enemies (like the Philistines) in ancient Israel, as well as the personal crisis of faith and leadership that David navigated by continually seeking God's will.

1 Samuel 23 13 Word analysis

• Then David and his men: This highlights David's established leadership and the growing loyalty of his followers, a stark contrast to Saul's increasingly unstable rule. His "men" now number significantly.

• about six hundred: (Hebrew: kĕshēsh mē’ôt - כְּשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת, literally "as six hundred"). This signifies a considerable increase from the "four hundred men" mentioned in 1 Sam 22:2. It indicates David's growing influence and the increasing number of those disenfranchised or seeking refuge with him, who saw him as the true leader. The approximate number suggests estimation in the camp rather than precise military tally.

• arose and departed: (Hebrew: qāmû wayyēṣĕ’û - קָמוּ וַיֵּצְאוּ). "Arose" often denotes a resolute, immediate action or preparing to begin a journey. Combined with "departed," it emphasizes their decisive, rapid exit in response to divine revelation. It wasn't hesitant.

• from Keilah: The location is significant. David had just delivered this city, showing his dedication to Israel's defense even while an outlaw. Yet, despite his heroic act, the inhabitants would have betrayed him, showcasing human ingratitude and the perilous nature of trust outside of divine leading.

• and went wherever they could go: (Hebrew: wayyēlĕkû ba’ăsher yēlēkû - וַיֵּלְכוּ בַּאֲשֶׁר יֵלֵכוּ, literally "and they went where they would go" or "they went where they might go"). This is a profound phrase. It portrays an apparently aimless, unscheduled wandering. It contrasts with strategic military movements. Spiritually, it signifies David's total reliance on God's ongoing, moment-by-moment guidance rather than pre-planned human strategies. It emphasizes a path led solely by divine providence, even if the destination or immediate future was unknown. This underscores a complete lack of a permanent dwelling place and complete dependence on the Lord for their next step. It's an expression of utter trust.

• And Saul was told: (Hebrew: wayyuggad lĕshā’ûl - וַיֻּגַּד לְשָׁאוּל, passive voice). This suggests intelligence reaching Saul through various channels (spies, defectors, rumor) but subtly points to God's unseen hand in governing the information flow and frustrating Saul's plans. It emphasizes a sovereign work.

• that David had escaped from Keilah: Saul's expectation of trapping David was thwarted. "Escaped" (Hebrew: nimlaṭ - נִמְלַט) highlights the successful evasion of imminent danger, signifying deliverance.

• so he gave up his expedition: (Hebrew: wayyeḥdal lāṣē’t - וַיֶּחְדַּl לָצֵאת, literally "and he ceased to go out"). Saul's military advance against Keilah was stopped because its strategic purpose (to trap David) was removed. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over the actions of kings and the outcomes of their plans, even hostile ones, confirming His protection over David.

• "David and his men... about six hundred": This phrase marks David's group not just as fugitives, but as a growing force of individuals bound by loyalty, significantly expanding in number and collective identity, demonstrating God's blessing and the drawing of people to His anointed.

• "arose and departed from Keilah and went wherever they could go": This segment depicts a rapid, uncertain, but divinely guided exodus. It underlines the radical dependence required of David: despite being a great warrior, his strategy was not maps and strongholds, but movement guided by the immediate word of the Lord, embodying deep trust amidst existential peril.

• "And Saul was told... so he gave up his expedition": This shows the divine influence on human affairs. God not only warns David but also influences Saul's decision, preventing unnecessary conflict. It exemplifies God's protective shield around David, frustrating his enemy's detailed plans and allowing David space to move freely again, even if without a clear destination.

1 Samuel 23 13 Bonus section

The account in 1 Samuel 23 illustrates the crucial role of the ephod with Urim and Thummim as a divinely sanctioned means of seeking specific guidance from the Lord. David's diligent and consistent use of this priestly implement set him apart from Saul, who increasingly relied on his own judgment and consulted forbidden mediums. This contrast is a subtle polemic against Saul's rejection of legitimate divine channels and his eventual spiritual demise, implicitly endorsing David's method of governing by divine decree. The Keilah incident shows that God's revealed will might be unsettling, requiring action that appears counter-intuitive (fleeing from a city they just saved), highlighting the supremacy of divine revelation over human logic or sentimentality. It also shows God's omniscience in revealing not just what is but what would be, providing David with proactive, saving knowledge.

1 Samuel 23 13 Commentary

1 Samuel 23:13 is a powerful demonstration of divine guidance and protection in the life of God's anointed, David. Despite having saved the people of Keilah, David faced imminent betrayal by those very people, a stark reality of human fickleness versus divine faithfulness. His continued practice of seeking God's counsel via Abiathar and the ephod proved critical; it prevented him from walking into a trap set by Saul. The Lord’s specific revelation concerning Keilah's inhabitants showed that divine foreknowledge could override seemingly favorable circumstances (a fortified city) and demanded an immediate, trusting response from David.

David's "six hundred" men, a testament to his increasing influence and leadership, followed him into an uncertain wilderness. The phrase "wherever they could go" signifies not random aimlessness but profound reliance on God for moment-by-moment direction. This lifestyle of dependency was crucial for David's formation as a king who would truly shepherd God's people. Saul's abandonment of his plan to besiege Keilah, upon hearing of David's escape, further underscored God's sovereign control over even the malicious intents of his adversaries. God's invisible hand moved to protect His servant, showing that even when human loyalty falters, divine faithfulness prevails.

Practical Examples:

• Trusting Unclear Paths: A believer seeking God's will for their career might receive direction that involves leaving a secure job without an immediate next one, forcing reliance on God's "wherever you can go."
• Discerning Loyalty: Like David, believers must discern whom to trust, recognizing that help might come from unexpected sources, and betrayal, even from within.
• God's Protection in Uncertainty: Even when life feels like aimless wandering, God's promise to never leave or forsake us means He is guiding us "wherever we can go" safely.