📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 23 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Samuel 23:1 Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against RKeilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
1 Samuel 23:2 Therefore David Renquired 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.
1 Samuel 23:3 And David’s men said unto him, RBehold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
1 Samuel 23:4 Then David enquired of the LORD Ryet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
1 Samuel 23:5 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 23:6 And it came to pass, Rwhen Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
1 Samuel 23:7 And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, RGod hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.
1 Samuel 23:8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
1 Samuel 23:9 And RDavid knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
1 Samuel 23:10 Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to Rdestroy the city for my sake.
1 Samuel 23:11 Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. RAnd the LORD said, He will come down.
1 Samuel 23:12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah Tdeliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, RThey will deliver thee up.
1 Samuel 23:13 Then David and his men, which were about Rsix hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
1 Samuel 23:14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in Ra mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
1 Samuel 23:15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
1 Samuel 23:16 And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and Rstrengthened his hand in God.
1 Samuel 23:17 And he said unto him, RFear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
1 Samuel 23:18 And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
1 Samuel 23:19 Then came up Rthe Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is Ton the south of TJeshimon?
1 Samuel 23:20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to Rall the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.
1 Samuel 23:21 And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.
1 Samuel 23:22 Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his RThaunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.
1 Samuel 23:23 See therefore, and Rtake knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
1 Samuel 23:24 And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of RMaon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
1 Samuel 23:25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David; wherefore he came down RTinto a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.
1 Samuel 23:26 And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and RDavid made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.
1 Samuel 23:27 But Rthere came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have Tinvaded the land.
1 Samuel 23:28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place TSelahammahlekoth.
1 Samuel 23:29 RAnd David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 23:1–13 — Keilah rescued, then left
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
David twice inquires of the LORD before rescuing Keilah. Saul interprets David's location as an opportunity to capture him, but David seeks further direction and learns that the town will surrender him. He departs with about six hundred men, escaping the planned siege.
Key Truth: David's inquiry contrasts with Saul's assumption that opportunity proves God's approval.
Check What You Remember
1. Which town did David rescue? (1 Samuel 23:5)
Find it in 1 Samuel 23:5 (KJV).
2. Which priest brought an ephod? (1 Samuel 23:6)
Find it in 1 Samuel 23:6 (KJV).
3. About how many men left with David? (1 Samuel 23:13)
Find it in 1 Samuel 23:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 23:14–18 — Jonathan strengthens David in God
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Saul searches daily, but God does not give David into his hand. Jonathan visits in the wilderness, strengthens David in God, and reaffirms their covenant. Jonathan's words about his own future remain his expectation, not a fulfilled outcome stated here.
Key Truth: Friendship can strengthen dependence on God within continuing danger.
Check What You Remember
1. In which wilderness was David? (1 Samuel 23:14)
Find it in 1 Samuel 23:14 (KJV).
2. Who came to strengthen him in God? (1 Samuel 23:16)
Find it in 1 Samuel 23:16 (KJV).
3. Before whom did they make their covenant? (1 Samuel 23:18)
Find it in 1 Samuel 23:18 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 23:19–29 — Betrayal and a timely interruption
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Ziphites offer to deliver David to Saul. The pursuit nearly surrounds him at Maon, but news of a Philistine invasion draws Saul away. David then moves to Engedi. The interruption shows escape arriving through events outside David's immediate control.
Key Truth: Saul's relentless pursuit is interrupted before he captures David.
Check What You Remember
1. Which people reported David's hiding place? (1 Samuel 23:19)
Find it in 1 Samuel 23:19 (KJV).
2. What news caused Saul to leave the pursuit? (1 Samuel 23:27)
Find it in 1 Samuel 23:27 (KJV).
3. Where did David dwell afterward? (1 Samuel 23:29)
Find it in 1 Samuel 23:29 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Samuel 20:42 — Jonathan's wilderness visit continues the commitment made at their earlier farewell.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Compare Saul's interpretation in verse 7 with David's repeated questions. How is God's direction established in the account?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does David answer his men’s fear about going to Keilah?
2. Why does Saul misread David’s presence in Keilah as an advantage?
3. What does David do after learning Keilah’s men would deliver him to Saul?
4. How does Jonathan strengthen David in God?
5. What interrupts Saul when David is nearly surrounded?
Notes
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