Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 23
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 23
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 23
"And they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing-floors." — 1 Samuel 23:1 (ASV)
David’s growing importance, fugitive as he was, is marked by this appeal to him for deliverance from the Philistines. The threshing floors were natural targets for plunder (Judges 6:11). Keilah was in the Shephelah, probably close to the Philistine border, but its site is uncertain.
"Therefore David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And Jehovah said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. And David`s men said unto him, Behold, we are afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? Then David inquired of Jehovah yet again. And Jehovah answered him, and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hand." — 1 Samuel 23:2-4 (ASV)
If Gad was with David at the forest of Hareth (1 Samuel 22:5), where he inquired of the Lord for him (1 Samuel 23:2, 4), but did not accompany him to Keilah—and if Abiathar’s flight occurred at the very time David was in Keilah—we have another striking instance of God’s watchful, providential care. God sent Abiathar to supply Gad’s place at that critical moment.
"Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver up to me and my men into the hand of Saul? And Jehovah said, They will deliver thee up." — 1 Samuel 23:12 (ASV)
The conduct of the men of Keilah would be like that of the men of Judah toward Samson, their deliverer (Judges 15:10–13).
"And David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand." — 1 Samuel 23:14 (ASV)
Ziph is placed between Hebron and En-gedi (marginal references). (The wood of 1 Samuel 23:15 is taken by Conder as a proper name, “Cheresh,” and identified with Khoreisa.)
"And Jonathan, Saul`s son, arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God." — 1 Samuel 23:16 (ASV)
This is a touching example of mutual faithfulness between friends. The humility and unselfish love of Jonathan are apparent in 1 Samuel 23:17.
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