King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 23:2 Mean?

1 Samuel 23:2 in the King James Version says “Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.”

1 Samuel 23:2 · KJV

Salvation

Context

1

Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.

2

Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.

3

And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?

4

Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

Read 1 Samuel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.

David's inquiry demonstrates dependence on divine guidance. The Hebrew 'sha'al' (enquired/asked) indicates formal consultation, likely through Abiathar's ephod. David's question is specific and practical: should he engage the Philistines? God's response is equally direct—'go and smite' (Hebrew 'lekh vehikkita'). The added phrase 'and save Keilah' reveals God's compassion for the threatened town. This divine command to an outlaw fugitive bypasses the legitimate king entirely—God directs military operations through David while Saul pursues paranoid vendettas. The pattern of seeking God before acting would characterize David's best leadership throughout his life.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase 'enquired of the LORD' typically involved the Urim and Thummim in the high priest's ephod. Abiathar's recent arrival with the ephod (22:20-23) provided David this means of divine consultation that Saul had lost through his faithlessness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What practices do you employ to seek God's guidance before major decisions?
  2. How does God's directive to David 'save Keilah' reveal His concern for vulnerable communities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל1 of 18

“enquired”

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

דָּוִ֗ד2 of 18

“Therefore David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

יְהוָ֜ה3 of 18

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר4 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַֽאֵלֵ֣ךְ5 of 18
H1980

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

וְהִכִּ֣יתָ6 of 18

“and smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים7 of 18

“the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

הָאֵ֑לֶּה8 of 18
H428

these or those

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר9 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה10 of 18

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶל11 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֗ד12 of 18

“Therefore David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לֵ֚ךְ13 of 18
H1980

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

וְהִכִּ֣יתָ14 of 18

“and smite”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים15 of 18

“the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וְהֽוֹשַׁעְתָּ֖16 of 18

“and save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

אֶת17 of 18
H853

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

קְעִילָֽה׃18 of 18

“Keilah”

H7084

keilah, a place in palestine

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 23:2 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 23:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 23:42 Samuel 5:232 Samuel 5:19Jeremiah 10:231 Samuel 23:9-121 Samuel 30:8

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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