1 Samuel 23:8
And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע
called
H8085
וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע
called
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֖ם
all the people
H5971
הָעָ֖ם
all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
to war
H4421
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
to war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
6 of 13
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
לָרֶ֣דֶת
to go down
H3381
לָרֶ֣דֶת
to go down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
7 of 13
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
Historical Context
Siege warfare was resource-intensive and typically reserved for major military objectives. Saul's willingness to deploy such resources against David indicates the obsessive nature of his pursuit. Keilah's inhabitants would suffer from both the siege and potential reprisals.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Saul's priorities (pursuing David rather than Philistines) reveal misplaced focus?
- What warning does this passage offer about leaders who prioritize personal vendettas over public good?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
Saul mobilizes Israel's military against David rather than against the Philistines David just defeated. The Hebrew 'lehatstsur' (to besiege) indicates intent for a prolonged operation against the walled town. The bitter irony deepens: David protected Keilah from Philistines; Saul now threatens to besiege the town David saved. The king's priorities have completely inverted—pursuing a loyal servant while neglecting national enemies. Calling 'all the people' for a siege against one man's band demonstrates Saul's excessive response and the army's complicity in his paranoia. The rightful king protects; the corrupt king destroys.