1 Samuel 23:13
Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּקָם֩
arose
H6965
וַיָּקָם֩
arose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 19
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֜יו
H376
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֜יו
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 19
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)
כְּשֵׁשׁ
which were about six
H8337
כְּשֵׁשׁ
which were about six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
4 of 19
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
אִ֗ישׁ
H376
אִ֗ישׁ
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 19
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)
לָצֵֽאת׃
and departed
H3318
לָצֵֽאת׃
and departed
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
7 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ
and went
H1980
יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ
and went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 19
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
whithersoever
H834
בַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר
whithersoever
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ
and went
H1980
יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ
and went
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 19
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
הֻגַּ֗ד
And it was told
H5046
הֻגַּ֗ד
And it was told
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִמְלַ֤ט
was escaped
H4422
נִמְלַ֤ט
was escaped
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
Cross References
1 Samuel 22:2And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.1 Samuel 25:13And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.
Historical Context
David's force of six hundred represented a significant guerrilla band requiring constant resupply and movement. Their departure into unspecified wilderness locations made pursuit difficult. Saul's abandoned siege meant Keilah escaped the destruction David feared.
Questions for Reflection
- When has following God's guidance led you into uncertainty rather than security?
- What does 'whithersoever they could go' teach about trusting God's direction without knowing the destination?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
David's immediate response to divine warning demonstrates faithful obedience. His band had grown to 'about six hundred'—increased from the four hundred of 22:2. The phrase 'whithersoever they could go' (Hebrew 'el asher yelechu') describes purposeful wandering—no fixed destination but continuous movement. Saul's abandonment of his siege ('forbare to go forth') shows divine guidance frustrated his plans entirely. David's obedience to God's warning prevented both his capture and Keilah's destruction. The wilderness would provide what the fortified town could not: safety through mobility rather than walls.