King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 23:11 Mean?

1 Samuel 23:11 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. And the LORD said, He will come down.”

1 Samuel 23:11 · KJV

Context

9

And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

10

Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

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. And the LORD said, He will come down.

12

Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up. deliver: Heb. shut up

13

Then David and his men, which were about six 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.

Read 1 Samuel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. And the LORD said, He will come down.

David asks two distinct questions and receives the first answer. The Hebrew construction 'hayasgiruni' (will they deliver me up) addresses local loyalty; 'hayered' (will he come down) addresses Saul's intentions. God answers the second question first: Saul will indeed come. This divine confirmation validates David's intelligence while guiding his response. The repetition of 'thy servant' three times emphasizes David's humble posture. God's partial answer—addressing Saul's intentions but not yet Keilah's loyalty—builds toward complete guidance. Divine communication sometimes unfolds progressively, requiring continued inquiry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Urim and Thummim apparently provided yes/no answers to specific questions. David's two-part inquiry required sequential divine responses. The structure of his questions shows sophisticated understanding of how to seek divine guidance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you persist in seeking God's guidance when initial answers are incomplete?
  2. What does God's progressive revelation to David teach about patience in discernment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
הֲיַסְגִּרֻ֣נִי1 of 18

“deliver me up”

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

בַֽעֲלֵי֩2 of 18

“Will the men”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

קְעִילָ֨ה3 of 18

“of Keilah”

H7084

keilah, a place in palestine

בְיָד֜וֹ4 of 18

“into his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יֵרֵֽד׃5 of 18

“He will come down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

שָׁא֗וּל6 of 18

“will Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙7 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׁמַ֣ע8 of 18

“hath heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

לְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ9 of 18

“as thy servant”

H5650

a servant

יְהוָ֖ה10 of 18

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֣י11 of 18

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל12 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הַגֶּד13 of 18

“I beseech thee tell”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

נָ֖א14 of 18
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ15 of 18

“as thy servant”

H5650

a servant

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר16 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֖ה17 of 18

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יֵרֵֽד׃18 of 18

“He will come down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 23:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 23:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 7:7-8Psalms 50:15Jeremiah 33:3

Places in This Verse

KeilahSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Qila · 31.61°N, 35.00°E15 verses across 3 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 23 →

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1 Samuel 23 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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