King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 23:13 Mean?

1 Samuel 23:13 in the King James Version says “Then David and his men, which were about six hundred , arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they cou... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 23:13 · KJV


Context

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.

15

And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

David's immediate response to divine warning demonstrates faithful obedience. His band had grown to 'about six hundred'—increased from the four hundred of 22:2. The phrase 'whithersoever they could go' (Hebrew 'el asher yelechu') describes purposeful wandering—no fixed destination but continuous movement. Saul's abandonment of his siege ('forbare to go forth') shows divine guidance frustrated his plans entirely. David's obedience to God's warning prevented both his capture and Keilah's destruction. The wilderness would provide what the fortified town could not: safety through mobility rather than walls.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

David's force of six hundred represented a significant guerrilla band requiring constant resupply and movement. Their departure into unspecified wilderness locations made pursuit difficult. Saul's abandoned siege meant Keilah escaped the destruction David feared.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has following God's guidance led you into uncertainty rather than security?
  2. What does 'whithersoever they could go' teach about trusting God's direction without knowing the destination?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיָּקָם֩1 of 19

arose

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

דָּוִד֙2 of 19

Then David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֜יו3 of 19
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)

כְּשֵׁשׁ4 of 19

which were about six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

מֵא֣וֹת5 of 19

hundred

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִ֗ישׁ6 of 19
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)

לָצֵֽאת׃7 of 19

and departed

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִקְּעִילָ֔ה8 of 19

from Keilah

H7084

keilah, a place in palestine

יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ9 of 19

and went

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 19

whithersoever

H834

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

יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ11 of 19

and went

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וּלְשָׁא֣וּל12 of 19

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

הֻגַּ֗ד13 of 19

And it was told

H5046

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

כִּֽי14 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִמְלַ֤ט15 of 19

was escaped

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

דָּוִד֙16 of 19

Then David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מִקְּעִילָ֔ה17 of 19

from Keilah

H7084

keilah, a place in palestine

וַיֶּחְדַּ֖ל18 of 19

and he forbare

H2308

properly, to be flabby, i.e., (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle

לָצֵֽאת׃19 of 19

and departed

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim


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 23:13 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 23:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study