1 Samuel 23 7

1 Samuel 23:7 kjv

And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.

1 Samuel 23:7 nkjv

And Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. So Saul said, "God has delivered him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars."

1 Samuel 23:7 niv

Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, "God has delivered him into my hands, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars."

1 Samuel 23:7 esv

Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, "God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars."

1 Samuel 23:7 nlt

Saul soon learned that David was at Keilah. "Good!" he exclaimed. "We've got him now! God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself in a walled town!"

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 7 Meaning

This verse details Saul's immediate reaction upon hearing that David was in the fortified city of Keilah. Saul, driven by his relentless pursuit of David, interprets this intelligence as an act of divine providence in his favor. He believes that God has "delivered" David into his hand, seeing Keilah's defensive structures – its gates and bars – not as protection for David, but as a snare, effectively trapping David within its walls, making him an easy target.

1 Samuel 23 7 Context

Chapter 23 opens with David receiving news that the Philistines are attacking Keilah. David, displaying his character as a protector of Judah, first inquires of the Lord and then successfully delivers the city from the Philistines. Saul, however, still consumed by jealousy and hatred for David, sees this act of deliverance as an opportunity to finally capture him. Upon hearing that David, his target, has willingly entered a walled city, Saul's manipulative mindset takes over. This verse highlights Saul's presumption and his failure to genuinely seek God's will, contrasting sharply with David's consistent inquiries of the Lord, as seen in the preceding verses. The historical context involves Saul's deteriorating spiritual state and the Lord's clear rejection of him, while David, God's anointed, is continually sustained and protected by divine favor despite immense danger.

1 Samuel 23 7 Word analysis

• And it was told Saul: This signifies swift, direct intelligence, feeding Saul's obsession and strategic calculations.
• that David was come to Keilah: "Keilah" (Hebrew: Qe'ilah, קְעִילָה‎) means "citadel" or "enclosure." It was a well-fortified city in the Judean lowlands, which ironically provided a sense of security that Saul believed would become David's prison.
• And Saul said: This is a direct declaration from Saul, revealing his interpretation of events. It is not an inquiry to the Lord but a statement of self-serving conviction.
• God hath delivered him into my hand: "Delivered" (Hebrew: sagar, סָגַר) implies "to shut up, close, deliver, give over." Saul views this perceived advantage as an act of divine favor toward him. This is a profound misinterpretation, as God was clearly with David, not Saul, at this time (1 Sam 18:12, 16:13). Saul wrongly assumes God is aligned with his personal, vengeful agenda, equating a strategic convenience with divine endorsement.
• for he is shut in: "Shut in" (Hebrew: sagar, סָגַר) repeats the root word for "delivered," reinforcing the idea of entrapment. Saul envisions David being confined without escape, akin to being closed in a fortified cage. This reflects Saul's worldly wisdom and reliance on physical barriers, failing to comprehend God's ability to transcend such limitations for His chosen one.
• by entering into a town: This highlights David's action, a conscious choice to enter a secure location. Saul sees David's protective move as a self-incrimination, leading him directly into a trap.
• that hath gates and bars: "Gates" (Hebrew: sha'arim, שְׁעָרִים‎) and "bars" (Hebrew: beriachim, בְּרִיחִים‎) describe the typical security features of ancient fortified cities. These defensive mechanisms were designed to keep invaders out but, in Saul's twisted logic, were now poised to keep David in, facilitating his capture. This description emphasizes the perceived inescapable nature of David's predicament in Saul's mind.

• God hath delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in: This phrase reveals Saul's self-deceptive and presumptuous attitude. He equates favorable circumstances (David's location) with divine approval for his wicked plot, mistakenly believing God is actively aiding his pursuit of the Lord's anointed. This is a form of spiritual blindness, where personal desire is confused with divine will.
• a town that hath gates and bars: This emphasis on the physical defenses underscores Saul's reliance on military strategy and earthly obstacles rather than spiritual discernment or obedience to God. He views Keilah's strong fortifications as his guarantee of victory, not understanding that God's plan transcends human fortresses.

1 Samuel 23 7 Bonus section

This verse perfectly encapsulates Saul's continued decline from God's favor. While David consistently inquired of the Lord through the ephod for direction and reassurance, Saul presumed God's will aligned with his vengeful desires. Saul's statement here is a striking example of hubris, a confidence stemming from pride rather than actual divine leading. He projects his own intentions onto God, believing the very fort that protected its inhabitants would instead serve as a prison for David. This showcases the futility of human plotting against divine will. Saul's reliance on physical barriers and military intelligence starkly contrasts with David's constant reliance on the invisible hand of God. Ultimately, Saul's "trap" proved to be yet another occasion for God to demonstrate His faithful protection over His anointed servant, David.

1 Samuel 23 7 Commentary

1 Samuel 23:7 vividly illustrates the spiritual divergence between Saul and David. Saul, whose heart had hardened against the Lord, interpreted perceived strategic advantage as direct divine endorsement of his malicious intentions. His declaration, "God hath delivered him into my hand," is not an expression of faith or gratitude but a self-serving rationalization for his evil plot. He failed to distinguish between opportune circumstance and the true will of God. The irony is stark: Keilah, which David had just delivered, became, in Saul's eyes, a trap. Yet, the same "gates and bars" that Saul saw as ensuring David's capture were no match for God's actual divine providence, which would subsequently lead David safely out, thwarting Saul's designs. This verse highlights the danger of presumption and of aligning one's own desires with the perceived actions of God without true spiritual discernment.