1 Samuel 23 3

1 Samuel 23:3 kjv

And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?

1 Samuel 23:3 nkjv

But David's men said to him, "Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?"

1 Samuel 23:3 niv

But David's men said to him, "Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!"

1 Samuel 23:3 esv

But David's men said to him, "Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?"

1 Samuel 23:3 nlt

But David's men said, "We're afraid even here in Judah. We certainly don't want to go to Keilah to fight the whole Philistine army!"

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 3 Meaning

David's men express profound apprehension and hesitation concerning the Lord's explicit instruction to go to Keilah and rescue its inhabitants from the Philistines. Their immediate concern is their existing state of fear and vulnerability while already in Judah, hunted by King Saul. They reason that if they are already so afraid in their current refuge, their terror would be far greater if they were to confront the organized Philistine military in a direct engagement, effectively doubting the divine assurance and prioritizing their perception of the overwhelming odds.

1 Samuel 23 3 Context

This verse occurs during David's fugitive period, as he is relentlessly pursued by King Saul. Having recently escaped Saul's grasp and gathered a motley band of about 400 distressed, indebted, and discontented men at the cave of Adullam (1 Sam 22:1-2), David operates from the wilderness. The immediate setting of 1 Samuel 23 involves the Philistines raiding Keilah, a fortified town in Judah. David, demonstrating concern for his fellow Israelites despite his own precarious situation, seeks divine counsel on whether to intervene (v. 2). The Lord has just confirmed His command and promised success (v. 2b), yet David's men voice their profound objection in verse 3, illustrating a tension between God's clear word and human fear in the face of daunting circumstances. This reluctance then prompts David to seek confirmation from the Lord once more.

1 Samuel 23 3 Word analysis

• But David’s men (וְאַנְשֵׁ֣י דָוִ֗ד - v’anshei David): The connective "but" (וְ - ve) introduces a counter-response, highlighting the men's opposition to the recently received divine instruction. "David's men" refers to the initial group of followers (approximately 400, cf. 1 Sam 22:2) who, while loyal to David, are mostly a collection of people in distress and likely not hardened warriors, explaining their hesitancy.
• said to him: Indicates direct address to David, articulating their collective anxiety.
• Look (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An emphatic interjection, often translated as "behold" or "indeed," used to draw immediate attention to the statement that follows, underscoring the urgency and perceived reality of their fear.
• we are afraid (יָרֵאנוּ - yarenu): From the Hebrew root יָרֵא (yare), meaning "to fear, be afraid, dread." It denotes a deep, unsettling emotional state, not mere caution. This is distinct from the "fear of the Lord," which implies reverential awe and obedience. Here, it is human apprehension of danger.
• here in Judah (בַּֽיהוּדָה֙ - ba-yehudah): This specific geographical reference underscores their sense of vulnerability even in their supposed home territory. It implies that their current status as fugitives makes them feel insecure and exposed to threats even from Saul, let alone a formidable external enemy.
• How much more then (אַ֛ף כִּי־בִּקְעִלָ֖ה - af ki v’Qe’ilah): This is an emphatic Hebrew idiom signifying a greater degree or intensification, similar to "how much more so," "even more," or "let alone." It argues for a logical escalation of fear based on their current experience.
• if we go to Keilah (נֵלֵךְ֙ עַל־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים - nelekh al-Pelishitim): "Go to Keilah" here implies active engagement and moving into direct confrontation, changing their status from defensive fugitives to offensive combatants.
• against the ranks of the Philistines (אֶל־מַעַרְכ֣וֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים - el-ma'arakhot Pelishtim): "Ranks" (ma'arakhot) refers to an array, battle formation, or organized army. This highlights the perceived strength, order, and disciplined nature of the Philistine military, a long-standing, powerful enemy of Israel, implying a formidable, prepared foe, far more threatening than Saul's hunting parties.
• Words-group: "we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the ranks of the Philistines?" This entire statement reveals the logic of human fear: projecting current distress onto future, perceived greater dangers, despite divine assurance. It demonstrates a natural tendency to trust in visible circumstances and human assessment rather than unseen divine power and promise. Their rationale is based on their perceived weakness and the enemy's perceived strength, contrasting with David's faith-driven approach.

1 Samuel 23 3 Bonus section

This verse serves as a crucial moment for David's leadership development. Faced with genuine fear and resistance from his followers after receiving a clear divine command, David demonstrates remarkable patience and wisdom. Instead of forcing his men or condemning their lack of faith, he turns back to the Lord for reaffirmation, thereby validating God's word and demonstrating the Lord's faithfulness to a doubting people. This act reinforces the idea that true biblical leadership often involves humble reliance on God even when followers falter, showing that God's grace extends not just to the leader but also to the uncertain hearts of the followers. It is a powerful example of discerning God's will thoroughly and waiting for clear confirmation when faith is challenged, solidifying both the command and the commitment to obey.

1 Samuel 23 3 Commentary

This verse encapsulates a fundamental human struggle: the conflict between a clear divine directive and paralyzing human fear. Despite God's explicit answer and promise of success (v. 2), David's men, already living in a state of apprehension as fugitives, balk at the prospect of confronting a major external threat like the Philistine army. Their argument, "If we are afraid here in Judah, how much more if we go to Keilah against the Philistines?" is a natural, fear-based reasoning. It reveals their focus on present vulnerability and a potent, organized enemy rather than on the power of the God who commanded the action. This reluctance, while understandable given their circumstances, highlights their spiritual immaturity compared to David's growing reliance on God. David, as a faithful leader, responds not by rebuking them but by patiently seeking God's confirmation a second time (v. 4), demonstrating both his sensitivity to his men's fears and his unwavering commitment to obeying the Lord's will, even if it requires repeated assurance.