King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 23:12 Mean?

1 Samuel 23:12 in the King James Version says “Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will delive...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 23:12 · KJV

Context

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.

14

And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

Read 1 Samuel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

God's second answer reveals the painful truth: the town David saved would betray him. The Hebrew 'yasgiru' (they will deliver up) confirms that gratitude would not overcome fear of Saul. This divine knowledge of contingent futures—what would happen if David stayed—demonstrates God's comprehensive understanding. The men of Keilah would choose self-preservation over protecting their deliverer. This foreknowledge allowed David to act preemptively, avoiding betrayal through departure. The passage illustrates how divine guidance protects the faithful from misplaced trust, revealing human hearts that circumstances would eventually expose anyway.

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Historical & Cultural Context

God's answer represents 'middle knowledge'—knowing what free agents would do in specific circumstances. Keilah's projected betrayal reflects the political reality that small towns could not resist royal pressure regardless of gratitude.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when God reveals that those you helped would betray you?
  2. What does Keilah's potential betrayal teach about the limits of human gratitude?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר1 of 13

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֔ד2 of 13

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

יַסְגִּֽירוּ׃3 of 13

“They will deliver thee up”

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

בַּֽעֲלֵ֧י4 of 13

“Will the men”

H1167

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

קְעִילָ֛ה5 of 13

“of Keilah”

H7084

keilah, a place in palestine

אֹתִ֥י6 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְאֶת7 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲנָשַׁ֖י8 of 13
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּיַד9 of 13

“into the 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

שָׁא֑וּל10 of 13

“of Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר11 of 13

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֖ה12 of 13

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

יַסְגִּֽירוּ׃13 of 13

“They will deliver thee up”

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

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 23:12 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 23:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 23:20Psalms 31:8Psalms 62:1Ecclesiastes 9:14-15Isaiah 29:151 Samuel 23:7

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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