Bible Commentaries

Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.

Then they told David. — The men of Keilah in the land of Judah seek help of David their countryman; but having served themselves of him, they soon proved false hearted to him, and would have made him an ill requital. 1 Samuel 23:12 In trust I have found treason, said Queen Elizabeth. Camden.

And they rob the threshingfloors. — Vatablus hath it, Horrea, the barns. Horreum ab hauriendo, barns and threshingfloors were without the city, as Judges 6:11 , but necessary appendages to it.

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Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.

Therefore David inquired of the Lord. — By his prophet Gad, say most interpreters; for Abiathar was not yet come unto him, 1 Samuel 23:6 and that which is read of him in 1 Samuel 22:20 is spoken by way of anticipation. War is to be made by wise counsel, saith Solomon, Proverbs 24:6 and, long after him, Salust, a heathen historian: surely it is fit that God be consulted - viz., by prayer and searching the Scriptures - ere war be waged; since it is matter of so great weight, and the issue thereof so uncertain. Herein Josiah was too short, and died for it.

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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?

And David’s men said unto him. — See a like discouraging speech of the disciples to our Saviour, John 11:8 and his resolute answer. 1 Samuel 23:9-10 God may be safely and must be faithfully followed, whithersoever he leads us: neither must we stand casting of perils.

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Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

Then David enquired of the Lord yet again, — viz., For the confirmation and encouragement of his soldiers, whose rule should have been Nec temere, nec timide, Neither rashly nor timorously.

For I will deliver. — Heb., I am delivering; illico traditurus, sc., before that Saul can set upon thee.

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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.

And brought away their cattle. — Which either they found about their camp, or fetched out of their country.

So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. — And therefore deserved a corona civica of them, but met with ill measure. 1 Samuel 23:12

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And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, [that] he came down [with] an ephod in his hand.

With an ephod in his hand. — Or, The ephod came into his hand; whence some think, that in catching up his clothes, in making up his pack to be packing, he lighted upon the high priest’s ephod, that had the Urim and Thummim in it, by chance rather than choice. Forte fortuna et non dedita opera secum detulerat ephod, et posuerat inter sarcinas suas - Vatab. But it was surely a sweet providence of God, for the comfort of his poor servant David. Hence God answered not Saul by Urim and Thummim, 1 Samuel 28:6 for it was now with David, not with Saul. This ephod thus brought was more, saith one, than if many thousand soldiers had come to David.

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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.

God hath delivered him into mine hands. — Thus this "hypocrite flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful," Psalms 36:2 and although he standeth in a posture of distance and defiance against God, yet he talketh very confidently of him, as if on his side. So did Rabshakeh, and the Pharisees: and so do the Popish persecutors, beginning their processes against the martyrs with, "In the name of God, Amen," and taking for their posy these words of the psalmist, "Our help is in the name of the Lord." "Thou art near in their mouth," saith the prophet concerning such, "but far from their reins." Jeremiah 12:2 They are right blackamoors, white nowhere but in the teeth.

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

To besiege David and his men. — Rather than to pursue the Philistines. So the Pope publisheth his Croysados against the Protestants; holding them greater enemies than are the Turks: witness his wars against the Waldenses in France, and the Hussites in Germany.

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