1 Samuel 23 5

1 Samuel 23:5 kjv

So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

1 Samuel 23:5 nkjv

And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines, struck them with a mighty blow, and took away their livestock. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

1 Samuel 23:5 niv

So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah.

1 Samuel 23:5 esv

And David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines and brought away their livestock and struck them with a great blow. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

1 Samuel 23:5 nlt

So David and his men went to Keilah. They slaughtered the Philistines and took all their livestock and rescued the people of Keilah.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 5 Meaning

First Samuel 23:5 describes David's faithful obedience to God's command to fight the Philistines and save Keilah. Despite being pursued by King Saul, David, trusting in the Lord's word, leads his men to a decisive victory against Israel's enemies, resulting in a great slaughter of the Philistines. This action not only liberates the inhabitants of Keilah from their oppression but also unequivocally demonstrates God's continued hand of protection and anointing upon David as Israel's true deliverer and future king.

1 Samuel 23 5 Context

Chapter 23 of 1 Samuel finds David as a fugitive, continuously fleeing from King Saul, who seeks to kill him out of jealous paranoia. Despite being an outlaw, David's character as a man devoted to God is continually demonstrated. News reaches David that the Philistines are attacking Keilah, a town in Judah, and plundering its threshing floors. This direct threat to the people of Judah prompts David to inquire of the LORD whether he should go and fight. Even after his men express fear due to their vulnerable position, David consults the Lord again, receiving a clear divine instruction to act. Verse 5 is the pivotal outcome of David's obedient and courageous decision to protect God's people, even when his own life is at risk and he has no obligation to King Saul or the kingdom. This act contrasts sharply with Saul's previous failures to decisively deal with the Philistines and showcases David's heart for God's people and his trust in God's provision and protection, thus further validating his future kingship.

1 Samuel 23 5 Word analysis

• So David and his men:
  • David: The designated king, chosen by God (1 Sam 16), though not yet enthroned. His actions here underscore his divinely appointed role as a shepherd and protector of God's people.
  • and his men: Refers to David's loyal, though at times fearful, followers, comprising approximately 600 individuals (1 Sam 23:13). Their readiness to follow David against a formidable enemy reflects their growing trust in him.
• went to Keilah:
  • went: An act of immediate obedience to the divine oracle (1 Sam 23:2,4). This movement signifies commitment and willingness to take significant risk for others, rather than prioritize personal safety.
  • Keilah: A city in the Shephelah, a strategically important lowland region of Judah, vulnerable to Philistine raids. David’s defense of it demonstrates care for specific vulnerable communities.
• and fought the Philistines:
  • fought: Root lacham (לָחַם) – to fight, make war. This was not a passive intervention but a direct, physical confrontation.
  • the Philistines: Israel’s perennial, uncircumcised enemies. Their constant raiding was a significant threat, often demonstrating Israel's weakness under Saul's kingship. David's willingness to engage them reflects his long-standing commitment to defending Israel from its foes.
• and brought away their cattle:
  • brought away their cattle: Part of the spoils of war. Cattle and livestock represented significant wealth and provision. This act implies a thorough defeat and re-establishment of the wealth that the Philistines had presumably plundered. It also provided sustenance for David and his hungry men, showcasing God's provision for their obedience.
• and struck them with a great slaughter:
  • struck: Hebrew nakah (נָכָה) – to strike, smite, destroy. This is a common biblical term for decisive military victories.
  • with a great slaughter: Hebrew makkah gedolah (מַכָּה גְדֹלָה֙) – literally "a great blow" or "a great defeat." This phrase emphasizes the magnitude and completeness of the victory. It implies that God's hand was powerfully at work, ensuring a decisive defeat for the enemy, not merely a skirmish. It also signifies David’s effective military leadership under divine guidance.
• so David saved the inhabitants of Keilah:
  • saved: Hebrew yasha (יָשַׁע) – to save, deliver, help, be victorious. This term carries strong theological weight, frequently used for God's acts of deliverance. Here, David functions as God's instrument of salvation for the people, echoing the role of the judges and foreshadowing the ultimate saving work of the Messiah.
  • the inhabitants of Keilah: David's motivation was altruistic, to protect people he did not know from external threat. This act embodies true leadership, caring for the marginalized and oppressed.

1 Samuel 23 5 Bonus section

• This event serves as a strong contrast between David and Saul. While Saul was pursuing David, focused on retaining his own throne, David was busy saving God's people from a real threat, demonstrating true concern for the kingdom and its inhabitants.
• David's repeated inquiry of the Lord (1 Sam 23:2,4) highlights his absolute dependence on God's word, even when the initial answer might have been concerning or required significant risk. This is a model for believers facing difficult decisions.
• The act of bringing away the Philistine cattle (spoil) suggests not only material victory but also provision from the Lord for David and his men, demonstrating God's care for those who faithfully serve Him.
• This specific act of "saving the inhabitants of Keilah" anticipates David's greater saving work as king for all Israel, leading them in victory over their enemies.

1 Samuel 23 5 Commentary

First Samuel 23:5 is a powerful testament to David's character, faith, and fitness for kingship, particularly when contrasted with King Saul's failures. David, though outlawed and at risk, sought the Lord's counsel twice, demonstrating genuine humility and dependence on divine guidance. His decision to engage the Philistines at Keilah, against his men's fears and his own vulnerability to Saul, highlights his courage and unwavering obedience to God's revealed will. The decisive victory, described as a "great slaughter," was a direct result of God's empowering presence and fulfillment of His promise. This act not only delivered Keilah's residents but also re-affirmed David as the divinely appointed "shepherd" for Israel, ready to risk his life for the sheep (the people), much like Jesus, the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11). It illustrates that true leadership, even when facing personal peril, prioritizes the welfare of others and steadfastly follows God's direction, ultimately leading to success and deliverance.