← Back to 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 23

29 verses

TL;DR

David defeats the Philistines at Keilah, then flees from Saul while Jonathan safeguards him.

Summary

David is instructed by God to attack Keilah and successfully drives the Philistines away, freeing the town’s inhabitants. He then hears that Saul plans to besiege Keilah and again consults God, who confirms Saul’s intent. Fearing capture, David escapes into the wilderness, where Saul hunts him relentlessly but fails to catch him. In the wood, Jonathan, Saul’s son, finds David, offers him protection, and the two covenant with each other before Jonathan returns home. Saul’s men seek David at Ziph and Maon, but a Philistine invasion forces Saul to abandon the hunt. David subsequently takes refuge in strongholds at Engedi, continuing his flight from Saul’s pursuit.

Outline
  1. David secures Keilah and flees from Saul’s pursuit
  2. Saul hunts David, Jonathan offers protection and covenant
  3. David remains in wilderness strongholds until Engedi
Themes
divine guidance and providenceconflict between personal loyalty and political powersurvival and escape
Keywords
DavidSaulKeilahZiphEphodcovenantPhilistinesEngediwildernessstrongholdsJonathan
People
DavidSaulAbiatharJonathanAhimelechPhilistines
Places
KeilahZiphGibeahEngediMaonJeshimonHachilahSelahammahlekothwildernessmountainwood
Things
ephodcovenantstrongholdsgates and barsthreshingfloorscattlephilosopher?
Key Verses
  • 1 Samuel 23:4: God gives explicit permission for David to attack Keilah.
  • 1 Samuel 23:11: Reveals Saul’s impending attack on David.
  • 1 Samuel 23:17: Jonathan’s pledge demonstrates familial loyalty amid political danger.
Questions
  • What does the repeated divine counsel in this chapter reveal about God’s relationship to David’s actions?
  • How does Jonathan’s covenant with David illustrate the tension between loyalty to father and loyalty to the nation?
  • In what ways does David’s flight and concealment affect his future kingship?
  • How does the narrative balance themes of divine providence and human agency?
  • What can be learned from David’s reliance on God during moments of fear and uncertainty?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains hope in divine deliverance, fear in Saul’s pursuit, and a sense of resilience as David finds refuge.