1 Samuel

1 Samuel 23:5–12

5Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah.

6(Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

7When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.”

8Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

9When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”

10And David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the city on my account. 11Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me into his hand?a Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.”

“He will,” said the LORD.

12So David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?”

“They will,” said the LORD.

Footnotes

  • a 23:11 Some manuscripts omit this question.

Read all of 1 Samuel 23

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

1 Samuel 23:5

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Then Davidדָּוִד֩dā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
and his menוְאֲנָשׁוֹwə·ʾă·nå̄·šōConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singularH582 man, mankind
wentוַיֵּ֣לֶךְway·yê·leḵConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH1980 go, come, walk
to Keilahקְעִילָ֜הqə·‘î·lāhNoun - proper - feminine singularH7084 Keilah
foughtוַיִּלָּ֣חֶםway·yil·lā·ḥemConjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH3898 fight, do battle
against the Philistinesבַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗יםbap·pə·liš·tîmPreposition-b, Article; Noun - proper - masculine pluralH6430 Philistine
and carried offוַיִּנְהַג֙way·yin·haḡConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5090 drive, conduct
their livestockמִקְנֵיהֶ֔םmiq·nê·hemNoun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine pluralH4735 cattle
strikingוַיַּ֥ךְway·yaḵConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5221 smite
themבָּהֶ֖םbā·hemPreposition; third person masculine plural
with a mightyגְדוֹלָ֑הḡə·ḏō·w·lāhAdjective - feminine singularH1419 great
blowמַכָּ֣הmak·kāhNoun - feminine singularH4347 blow, wound, slaughter
So Davidדָּוִ֔דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
savedוַיֹּ֣שַׁעway·yō·ša‘Conjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH3467 deliver
the peopleיֹשְׁבֵ֥יyō·šə·ḇêVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructH3427 sit, remain, dwell
of Keilahקְעִילָֽה׃סqə·‘î·lāhNoun - proper - feminine singularH7084 Keilah

1 Samuel 23:6

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Nowוַיְהִ֗יway·hîConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
Abiatharאֶבְיָתָ֧ר’eḇ·yā·ṯārNoun - proper - masculine singularH54 Ebjathar
sonבֶּן־ben-Noun - masculine singular constructH1121 son
of Ahimelechאֲחִימֶ֛לֶךְ’ă·ḥî·me·leḵNoun - proper - masculine singularH288 Achimelek
had broughtיָרַ֥דyā·raḏVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH3381 come or go down, descend
the ephodאֵפ֖וֹד’ê·p̄ō·wḏNoun - masculine singularH646 ephod
with himבְּיָדֽוֹ׃bə·yā·ḏōwPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH3027 hand
when he fledבִּ֠בְרֹחַbiḇ·rō·aḥPreposition-b; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH1272 go through, flee
toאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
Davidדָּוִ֖דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
at Keilahקְעִילָ֑הqə·‘î·lāhNoun - proper - feminine singularH7084 Keilah

1 Samuel 23:7

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
When Saulלְשָׁא֔וּלlə·šā·’ūlPreposition-l; Noun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
was toldוַיֻּגַּ֣דway·yug·gaḏConjunctive waw; Verb - Hofal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5046 be conspicuous
thatכִּי־kî-ConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
Davidדָוִ֖דḏā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
had goneבָ֥אḇāVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
to Keilahקְעִילָ֑הqə·‘î·lāhNoun - proper - feminine singularH7084 Keilah
heשָׁא֗וּלšā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Godאֱלֹהִים֙’ĕ·lō·hîmNoun - masculine pluralH430 God
has deliveredנִכַּ֨רnik·karVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularH5234 regard, recognize
himאֹת֤וֹ’ō·ṯōwDirect object marker; third person masculine singularH853 mark of the accusative
into my handבְּיָדִ֔יbə·yā·ḏîPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; first person common singularH3027 hand
forכִּ֚יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
he has trapped himselfנִסְגַּ֣רnis·garVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH5462 shut, close
by enteringלָב֔וֹאlā·ḇō·wPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH935 come in, come, go in, go
a townבְּעִ֖ירbə·‘îrPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular constructH5892 excitement
with gatesדְּלָתַ֥יִםdə·lā·ṯa·yimNoun - fdH1817 door
and barsוּבְרִֽיחַ׃ū·ḇə·rî·aḥConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singularH1280 bar

1 Samuel 23:8

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Then Saulשָׁא֛וּלšā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
summonedוַיְשַׁמַּ֥עway·šam·ma‘Conjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH8085 hear
allכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
his troopsהָעָ֖םhā·‘āmArticle; Noun - masculine singularH5971 people
to goלָרֶ֣דֶתlā·re·ḏeṯPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH3381 come or go down, descend
to warלַמִּלְחָמָ֑הlam·mil·ḥā·māhPreposition-l, Article; Noun - feminine singularH4421 battle, war
at Keilahקְעִילָ֔הqə·‘î·lāhNoun - proper - feminine singularH7084 Keilah
and besiegeלָצ֥וּרlā·ṣūrPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH6696 confine, bind, besiege
Davidדָּוִ֖דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
and his menאֲנָשָֽׁיו׃’ă·nā·šāwNoun - masculine plural construct; third person masculine singularH582 man, mankind

1 Samuel 23:9

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
When Davidדָּוִ֔דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
learnedוַיֵּ֣דַעway·yê·ḏa‘Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH3045 know
thatכִּ֣יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
Saulשָׁא֖וּלšā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
was plottingמַחֲרִ֣ישׁma·ḥă·rîšVerb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singularH2790 cut in, engrave, plough, devise
evilהָרָעָ֑הhā·rā·‘āhArticle; Adjective - feminine singularH7451 bad, evil
against himעָלָ֔יו‘ā·lāwPreposition; third person masculine singularH5921 height
he saidוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙way·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
toאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
Abiatharאֶבְיָתָ֣ר’eḇ·yā·ṯārNoun - proper - masculine singularH54 Ebjathar
the priestהַכֹּהֵ֔ןhak·kō·hênArticle; Noun - masculine singularH3548 priest
Bringהַגִּ֖ישָׁהhag·gî·šāhVerb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular; third person feminine singularH5066 draw near, approach
the ephodהָאֵפֽוֹד׃סhā·’ê·p̄ō·wḏArticle; Noun - masculine singularH646 ephod

1 Samuel 23:10

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
And Davidדָּוִד֒dā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
saidוַיֹּאמֶר֮way·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
O LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י’ĕ·lō·hêNoun - masculine plural constructH430 God
of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êlNoun - proper - masculine singularH3478 Israel
Your servantעַבְדְּךָ֔‘aḇ·də·ḵāNoun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singularH5650 slave, servant
has heardשָׁמֹ֤עַšā·mō·a‘Verb - Qal - Infinitive absoluteH8085 hear
thatכִּֽי־kî-ConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
Saulשָׁא֖וּלšā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
intendsמְבַקֵּ֥שׁmə·ḇaq·qêšVerb - Piel - Participle - masculine singularH1245 seek
to comeלָב֣וֹאlā·ḇō·wPreposition-l; Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructH935 come in, come, go in, go
toאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
Keilahקְעִילָ֑הqə·‘î·lāhNoun - proper - feminine singularH7084 Keilah
and destroyלְשַׁחֵ֥תlə·ša·ḥêṯPreposition-l; Verb - Piel - Infinitive constructH7843 go to ruin (?)
the cityלָעִ֖ירlā·‘îrPreposition-l, Article; Noun - feminine singularH5892 excitement
on my accountבַּעֲבוּרִֽי׃ba·‘ă·ḇū·rîPreposition-b; Noun - masculine singular construct; first person common singularH5668 crossed, transit, account

1 Samuel 23:11

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Will the citizensבַעֲלֵי֩ḇa·‘ă·lêNoun - masculine plural constructH1167 owner, lord
of Keilahקְעִילָ֨הqə·‘î·lāhNoun - proper - feminine singularH7084 Keilah
surrender meהֲיַסְגִּרֻ֣נִיhă·yas·gi·ru·nîVerb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural; first person common singularH5462 shut, close
into his handבְיָד֜וֹḇə·yā·ḏōwPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH3027 hand
Will Saulשָׁא֗וּלšā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
come downהֲיֵרֵ֣דhă·yê·rêḏVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH3381 come or go down, descend
asכַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ka·’ă·šerPreposition-k; Pronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
Your servantעַבְדֶּ֔ךָ‘aḇ·de·ḵāNoun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singularH5650 slave, servant
has heardשָׁמַ֣עšā·ma‘Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH8085 hear
O LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י’ĕ·lō·hêNoun - masculine plural constructH430 God
of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êlNoun - proper - masculine singularH3478 Israel
pleaseנָ֖אnāInterjectionH4994 I (we) pray, now
tellהַגֶּד־hag·geḏ-Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singularH5046 be conspicuous
Your servantלְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָסlə·ʿaḇ·dɛ·ḵå̄sPreposition-l; Noun - masculine singular construct; second person masculine singularH5650 slave, servant
He willיֵרֵֽד׃yê·rêḏVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH3381 come or go down, descend
saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh

1 Samuel 23:12

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
So Davidדָּוִ֔דdā·wiḏNoun - proper - masculine singularH1732 David
askedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Will the citizensבַּעֲלֵ֧יba·‘ă·lêNoun - masculine plural constructH1167 owner, lord
of Keilahקְעִילָ֛הqə·‘î·lāhNoun - proper - feminine singularH7084 Keilah
surrenderהֲיַסְגִּ֜רוּhă·yas·gi·rūVerb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralH5462 shut, close
meאֹתִ֥י’ō·ṯîDirect object marker; first person common singularH853 mark of the accusative
andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ-Conjunctive waw; Direct object markerH853 mark of the accusative
my menאֲנָשַׁ֖י’ă·nā·šayNoun - masculine plural construct; first person common singularH582 man, mankind
into the handבְּיַד־bə·yaḏ-Preposition-b; Noun - feminine singular constructH3027 hand
of Saulשָׁא֑וּלšā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
They willיַסְגִּֽירוּ׃סyas·gî·rūVerb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralH5462 shut, close
saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

1 Samuel 23:6 1 Samuel 22:20

1 Samuel 23:7 1 Samuel 24:4–6 · Psalm 71:10–11 · 1 Samuel 23:14 · 1 Samuel 26:8–9 · Job 20:5

1 Samuel 23:9 1 Samuel 30:7 · 1 Samuel 23:6 · Numbers 27:21

1 Samuel 23:12 1 Samuel 23:20 · Psalm 62:1 · Psalm 31:8

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.