1 Samuel 23:1
Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּגִּ֥דוּ
Then they told
H5046
וַיַּגִּ֥דוּ
Then they told
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
Behold the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
Behold the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
5 of 11
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
Historical Context
Keilah was located in the lowlands (Shephelah) between the hill country and Philistine territory. Threshing floors were typically located outside town walls for wind access, making them vulnerable to raids. Philistine expansion constantly threatened these border communities.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond to others' needs when you yourself are in difficult circumstances?
- What does David's concern for Keilah teach about true leadership versus self-preservation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
David receives intelligence about Philistine aggression while himself a fugitive from Saul. The Hebrew 'shosei' (robbing/plundering) describes the theft of harvested grain—an economic assault on Judean farmers. Keilah, a fortified town in the Shephelah, lay vulnerable to Philistine raids. The threshing floors represented the community's annual food supply; their plunder meant starvation. Despite being hunted by Israel's king, David's concern extends to Israel's welfare. This report initiates a pattern: the outlaw shows more care for Israel than the king. David's response to this crisis reveals character—true leadership seeks the good of others even amid personal suffering.