1 Samuel 23:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל
enquired
H7592
וַיִּשְׁאַ֨ל
enquired
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
1 of 18
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַֽאֵלֵ֣ךְ
H1980
הַֽאֵלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְהִכִּ֣יתָ
and smite
H5221
וְהִכִּ֣יתָ
and smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
6 of 18
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
the Philistines
H6430
בַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
7 of 18
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֵ֚ךְ
H1980
לֵ֚ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
13 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְהִכִּ֣יתָ
and smite
H5221
וְהִכִּ֣יתָ
and smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
14 of 18
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
the Philistines
H6430
בַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
15 of 18
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וְהֽוֹשַׁעְתָּ֖
and save
H3467
וְהֽוֹשַׁעְתָּ֖
and save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
Cross References
1 Samuel 23:4Then 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.2 Samuel 5:19And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.2 Samuel 5:23And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.Jeremiah 10:23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.Joshua 9:14And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.1 Samuel 30:8And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.1 Samuel 23:6And 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.Psalms 32:8I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.1 Chronicles 14:10And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.Numbers 27:21And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What practices do you employ to seek God's guidance before major decisions?
- How does God's directive to David 'save Keilah' reveal His concern for vulnerable communities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.