1 Samuel 23 8

1 Samuel 23:8 kjv

And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

1 Samuel 23:8 nkjv

Then Saul called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

1 Samuel 23:8 niv

And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

1 Samuel 23:8 esv

And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

1 Samuel 23:8 nlt

So Saul mobilized his entire army to march to Keilah and besiege David and his men.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 8 Meaning

This verse depicts King Saul's aggressive response upon learning of David's whereabouts in Keilah. Driven by deep-seated animosity and paranoia, Saul mobilized the entire military force of Israel. His intent was clear: to march to Keilah, besiege the city, and capture David and his loyal followers. This action underscores Saul's relentless, unrighteous pursuit of David, prioritizing his personal vendetta over his duty as king to protect Israel.

1 Samuel 23 8 Context

First Samuel chapter 23 opens with David hearing that the Philistines were attacking Keilah, a city of Judah, and robbing their threshing floors. Despite being a fugitive from Saul, David, ever concerned for Israel's welfare, inquired of the Lord whether he should go and save Keilah. The Lord affirmed his duty, and David, with his 600 men, successfully delivered the city from the Philistines. Following this heroic act, David settled in Keilah, taking advantage of its fortified walls. News of David's presence in Keilah quickly reached King Saul (1 Sam 23:7). Verse 8 immediately follows this intelligence, revealing Saul's obsessive focus on capturing David. This specific action by Saul contrasts sharply with David's recent selfless act of defending an Israelite city, highlighting Saul's twisted priorities and his abuse of royal authority. Instead of joining forces or praising David, Saul saw only an opportunity to finally corner his perceived rival.

1 Samuel 23 8 Word analysis

• And Saul (וַיִּזְעַק שָׁאוּל - wai-yiz-ʿaq shāʾūl): "And Saul cried out/summoned." The Hebrew verb זעק (zaʿaq) means to cry out, summon, or assemble, often implying a formal, authoritative command to gather, particularly for war (cf. Judg 6:34). It indicates an immediate, forceful summons by the king, underlining his complete control and use of royal power. Saul, the reigning king, still wielded significant authority despite God's rejection of him, enabling him to compel national participation in his personal vendetta.
• summoned (וַיְצַ֣ו - wai-ye-ṣaw, following Saul): While the primary verb is "summoned" (za'aq), wai-ye-ṣaw can also indicate command. It underscores that Saul was not merely suggesting, but actively ordering. This reveals the king's prerogative to rally the population for military objectives.
• all the people (כָּל־הָעָם - kol-hā-ʿām): This phrase can literally mean every eligible person for military service, or more broadly, the entire national military force. It signifies a vast and comprehensive mobilization. Saul aimed to bring overwhelming force against David and his mere 600 men, reflecting the depth of his fear and desire to eliminate David at any cost. This collective action by the populace, at the king's command, highlights the top-down nature of kingship in that era, even when abused for personal gain.
• to war (לַמִּלְחָמָה - la-mil-ḥāmāh): Literally "to the battle" or "for war." This explicitly defines the purpose of the summoning as a military operation. Saul's intentions were purely hostile and violent. He was initiating an internal conflict, a civil war against God's anointed one, under the guise of royal authority.
• to go down (לָרֶ֙דֶת֙ - lā-re-ḏeṯ): From the verb ירד (yarad), meaning "to descend." This refers to the geographical movement, as Keilah was situated in the lowlands (Shephelah) in comparison to Saul's usual operating areas in the highlands of Benjamin. It implies a strategic maneuver, not just a casual journey.
• to Keilah (קְעִילָה - qeʿîlāh): A fortified city in the Shephelah of Judah (Josh 15:44). Its defensibility was a temporary advantage for David but also made it a target for siege by Saul. Saul intended to trap David within its walls.
• to besiege (לָצ֤וּר - lā-ṣūr): From the verb צור (ṣūr), meaning "to besiege," "to enclose," or "to bind." This is a significant term implying a methodical, prolonged military tactic of encircling a fortified location to cut off supplies and force surrender. It speaks to Saul's determination to achieve a decisive, overwhelming victory against David by starvation or assault rather than a quick skirmish.
• David and his men: The specific target of this massive mobilization. This highlights Saul's singular focus on David. It frames the national army being used against an individual (and his small band), underscoring the disproportionate force Saul was willing to employ. Saul viewed David not as a loyal subject or national hero, but as an existential threat to his rule.

1 Samuel 23 8 Bonus section

Saul's action here serves as a powerful illustration of earthly authority operating completely outside of God's will. Saul, as God's anointed (though rejected), possessed the legitimate power to "summon all the people to war." However, his purpose was utterly corrupted by personal malice and defiance of God's sovereign choice of David. This event further entrenches the theme of the stark contrast between God's chosen leader (David), who acts selflessly even as a fugitive, and the self-serving, divinely rejected king (Saul) who wields national power for selfish ends. The "siege" operation was a major undertaking, underscoring the disproportionate obsession of Saul to destroy David, even risking the safety of an Israelite city by making it a battlefield. The immediate response by David in seeking God's counsel after hearing of Saul's plan (1 Sam 23:9) highlights David's continued reliance on divine guidance in the face of human tyranny, showcasing true leadership.

1 Samuel 23 8 Commentary

This verse captures the climax of Saul's paranoia and misdirected zeal, setting the stage for David's continued flight. Instead of using the nation's military for legitimate threats like the Philistines, Saul grotesquely diverted its purpose to pursue a faithful servant. His mobilization of "all the people" and the specific intent "to besiege" Keilah demonstrate a profound abuse of power, aiming to annihilate David through overwhelming force rather than just capture. This decision reflects not a king defending his realm, but a man consumed by jealousy, trying to thwart God's sovereign plan. The narrative implicitly condemns Saul's kingship by showing him engaging in a civil war against the very individual who had recently saved an Israelite city, emphasizing the spiritual darkness that had enveloped Saul's rule.