King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 23:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 23:4 in the King James Version says “Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deli... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 23:4 · KJV


Context

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.

6

And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

David's second inquiry demonstrates patient leadership responding to his men's fears. The Hebrew 'vayosef od' (yet again) shows persistent seeking rather than presumption. Rather than dismissing their concerns or rigidly insisting on the first answer, David returns to God. The Lord's response adds assurance: 'I will deliver' (Hebrew 'noten')—the victory belongs to God, not David's military prowess. The addition of 'arise' (qum) adds urgency to the previous 'go.' This second consultation honored both divine authority and human community—David led his men with divine confirmation rather than demanding blind obedience.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Repeated inquiry of God was appropriate when circumstances changed or confirmation was needed. Moses similarly returned to God multiple times during the exodus. David's leadership style incorporated both divine guidance and sensitivity to his followers' concerns.

Reflection Questions

  1. When is it appropriate to seek God's confirmation of guidance already received?
  2. How does David's response to his men's fears model godly leadership?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיּ֨וֹסֶף1 of 17

yet again

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

ע֤וֹד2 of 17
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

דָּוִד֙3 of 17

Then David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לִשְׁא֣וֹל4 of 17

enquired

H7592

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

יְהוָ֑ה5 of 17

And the LORD

H3068

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

וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֖הוּ6 of 17

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

יְהוָ֑ה7 of 17

And the LORD

H3068

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

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר8 of 17

him and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ק֚וּם9 of 17

Arise

H6965

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

רֵ֣ד10 of 17

go 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

קְעִילָ֔ה11 of 17

to Keilah

H7084

keilah, a place in palestine

כִּֽי12 of 17
H3588

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

אֲנִ֥י13 of 17
H589

i

נֹתֵ֛ן14 of 17

for I will deliver

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת15 of 17
H853

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

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים16 of 17

the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

בְּיָדֶֽךָ׃17 of 17

into thine 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


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 23:4 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 23:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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