1 Samuel 23:11
Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.
Original Language Analysis
הֲיַסְגִּרֻ֣נִי
deliver me up
H5462
הֲיַסְגִּרֻ֣נִי
deliver me up
Strong's:
H5462
Word #:
1 of 18
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender
בַֽעֲלֵי֩
Will the men
H1167
בַֽעֲלֵי֩
Will the men
Strong's:
H1167
Word #:
2 of 18
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
בְיָד֜וֹ
into his hand
H3027
בְיָד֜וֹ
into his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יֵרֵֽד׃
He will come down
H3381
יֵרֵֽד׃
He will come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
5 of 18
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
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁמַ֣ע
hath heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֣ע
hath heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
8 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַגֶּד
I beseech thee tell
H5046
הַגֶּד
I beseech thee tell
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
נָ֖א
H4994
נָ֖א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
14 of 18
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
Historical Context
The Urim and Thummim apparently provided yes/no answers to specific questions. David's two-part inquiry required sequential divine responses. The structure of his questions shows sophisticated understanding of how to seek divine guidance.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you persist in seeking God's guidance when initial answers are incomplete?
- What does God's progressive revelation to David teach about patience in discernment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.
David asks two distinct questions and receives the first answer. The Hebrew construction 'hayasgiruni' (will they deliver me up) addresses local loyalty; 'hayered' (will he come down) addresses Saul's intentions. God answers the second question first: Saul will indeed come. This divine confirmation validates David's intelligence while guiding his response. The repetition of 'thy servant' three times emphasizes David's humble posture. God's partial answer—addressing Saul's intentions but not yet Keilah's loyalty—builds toward complete guidance. Divine communication sometimes unfolds progressively, requiring continued inquiry.