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1 Samuel 23:13

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 23:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then David and his men, who 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then David and his men, who 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.
1 Samuel 23:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Then said David, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, thy servant hath surely heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
11Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O Jehovah, the God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And Jehovah said, He will come down.
12Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver up to me and my men into the hand of Saul? And Jehovah said, They will deliver thee up.
13Then David and his men, who 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.
14And David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
15And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the wood.
16And Jonathan, Saul`s son, arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
← 1 Samuel 23:121 Samuel 23:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then David and his men, [which were] about six hundred, etc.] Having had an increase of two hundred since he was at the cave of Adullam, (<092201>1 Samuel 22:1,2), and upon his relief of Keilah, (<092305>1 Samuel 23:5); so that he sustained no loss of men by fighting with the Philistines, but had an addition to his small forces: arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go; not knowing whither they should go, having no particular place in view; but went where they thought they could be safest, or that appeared the most proper place for them; so the Targum, “they went to a place which was fit to go unto;” which was fittest for their purpose, and most for their safety…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“six hundred: Sa1 22:2, Sa1 25:13, Sa1 30:9, Sa1 30:10 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 23:14”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification