King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 23:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 23:5 in the King James Version says “So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 23:5 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

7

And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.

Read 1 Samuel 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The battle report confirms God's promise fulfilled. The Hebrew 'makah gedolah' (great slaughter) indicates decisive victory. David's capture of Philistine cattle provided both spoils and practical resources for his band. The concluding statement—'David saved (Hebrew vayosha) the inhabitants of Keilah'—uses salvation language, positioning David as deliverer. This term connects to the judges who 'saved' Israel and anticipates Jesus (Yeshua—'he saves'). The fugitive outlaw accomplished what Israel's king should have done: protecting God's people from their enemies. David's wilderness years became proving grounds for the kingship God had promised.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Military victories often included cattle capture, providing food and economic resources. The defeat of Philistine forces at Keilah protected the grain harvest crucial for the region's survival. David's action demonstrated military capability worthy of future kingship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has God proven faithful when you obeyed despite fear?
  2. What does David's role as 'savior' of Keilah foreshadow about Christ's greater salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ1 of 18
H1980

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

דָּוִ֔ד2 of 18

“So David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֨ו3 of 18
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)

קְעִילָֽה׃4 of 18

“of Keilah”

H7084

keilah, a place in palestine

וַיִּלָּ֣חֶם5 of 18

“and fought”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים6 of 18

“with the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיִּנְהַג֙7 of 18

“and brought away”

H5090

to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

אֶת8 of 18
H853

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

מִקְנֵיהֶ֔ם9 of 18

“their cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

וַיַּ֥ךְ10 of 18

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

בָּהֶ֖ם11 of 18
H0
מַכָּ֣ה12 of 18

“slaughter”

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

גְדוֹלָ֑ה13 of 18

“them with a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וַיֹּ֣שַׁע14 of 18

“saved”

H3467

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

דָּוִ֔ד15 of 18

“So David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֵ֖ת16 of 18
H853

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

יֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י17 of 18

“the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

קְעִילָֽה׃18 of 18

“of 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 23:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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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