John Gill Commentary 1 Samuel 23:8

"And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men." — 1 Samuel 23:8 (ASV)

And Saul called all the people together to war
Or "caused [them] to hear" ^F13 summoned them by an herald, whom he sent into all parts of the kingdom to proclaim war, and require them in his name to attend him; which was the prerogative of a king to do:

to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men ;
that was what he privately intended, but the pretence was to make war against the Philistines.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F13: (emvy) "fecit audire", Montanus, Piscator.