1 Samuel 23:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֨ו
H376
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֨ו
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 18
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)
בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
with the Philistines
H6430
בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
with the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
6 of 18
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וַיִּנְהַג֙
and brought away
H5090
וַיִּנְהַג֙
and brought away
Strong's:
H5090
Word #:
7 of 18
to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִקְנֵיהֶ֔ם
their cattle
H4735
מִקְנֵיהֶ֔ם
their cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
9 of 18
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
וַיַּ֥ךְ
and smote
H5221
וַיַּ֥ךְ
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
10 of 18
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
מַכָּ֣ה
slaughter
H4347
מַכָּ֣ה
slaughter
Strong's:
H4347
Word #:
12 of 18
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
גְדוֹלָ֑ה
them with a great
H1419
גְדוֹלָ֑ה
them with a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
13 of 18
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וַיֹּ֣שַׁע
saved
H3467
וַיֹּ֣שַׁע
saved
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God proven faithful when you obeyed despite fear?
- What does David's role as 'savior' of Keilah foreshadow about Christ's greater salvation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.