1 Samuel 23:3
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?
Original Language Analysis
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
H376
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 16
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)
בִּֽיהוּדָ֖ה
here in Judah
H3063
בִּֽיהוּדָ֖ה
here in Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
8 of 16
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
יְרֵאִ֑ים
H3372
וְאַף֙
H637
וְאַף֙
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
10 of 16
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נֵלֵ֣ךְ
H1980
נֵלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
12 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God's direction seems strategically foolish?
- What role should reasonable fears play in decision-making when God has spoken?
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Analysis & 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.