King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 23:3 Mean?

1 Samuel 23:3 in the King James Version says “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 a...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

1 Samuel 23:3 · KJV

Fear & Courage

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.

5

So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

Read 1 Samuel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

David's men express understandable fear. The Hebrew 'yere'im' (afraid/fearing) describes their already anxious state as fugitives in Judah. Their reasoning follows logically: if they fear Saul's pursuit in their own territory, how much more should they fear engaging Philistine armies? The question reveals the strategic foolishness of David's proposed action from a human perspective—six hundred outlaws attacking a Philistine force while simultaneously evading Israel's king. Yet their objection also shows how human wisdom conflicts with divine command. God had spoken; the question was whether David would obey despite reasonable fears.

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Historical & Cultural Context

David's band of four to six hundred men was significant but insufficient against organized Philistine forces without divine intervention. Their fear reflected military reality—guerrilla bands survive by avoiding pitched battles with superior forces.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when God's direction seems strategically foolish?
  2. What role should reasonable fears play in decision-making when God has spoken?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ1 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַנְשֵׁ֤י2 of 16
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)

דָוִד֙3 of 16

“And David's”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֵלָ֔יו4 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הִנֵּ֨ה5 of 16
H2009

lo!

אֲנַ֥חְנוּ6 of 16
H587

we

פֹ֛ה7 of 16
H6311

this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence

בִּֽיהוּדָ֖ה8 of 16

“here in Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

יְרֵאִ֑ים9 of 16
H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

וְאַף֙10 of 16
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

כִּֽי11 of 16
H3588

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

נֵלֵ֣ךְ12 of 16
H1980

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

קְעִלָ֔ה13 of 16

“to Keilah”

H7084

keilah, a place in palestine

אֶל14 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מַֽעַרְכ֖וֹת15 of 16

“against the armies”

H4634

an arrangement; concretely, a pile; specifically a military array

פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃16 of 16

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

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 23:3 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 23:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 11:1Jeremiah 12:51 Samuel 23:231 Samuel 23:151 Samuel 23:26

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 →

Test Your Knowledge

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