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1 Samuel 23:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 23:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then David inquired of Jehovah yet again. And Jehovah answered him, and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hand.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then David inquired of Jehovah yet again. And Jehovah answered him, and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hand.
1 Samuel 23:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and are robbing the threshing-floors.
2Therefore David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And Jehovah said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
3And David`s men said unto him, Behold, we are afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
4Then David inquired of Jehovah yet again. And Jehovah answered him, and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hand.
5And David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and slew them with a great slaughter. So David save the inhabitants of Keilah.
6And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
7And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.
← 1 Samuel 23:31 Samuel 23:5 →
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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 inquired of the Lord yet again, etc.] Not for his own sake, who firmly believed it was the will of God he should go and succeed, but for the sake of his men, and to remove the doubts and fears that hung on their minds: and the Lord answered him, and said, arise, go down to Keilah; immediately, make no stay, nor hesitate about it, but go with all haste to the relief of the place: for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hands; which is still more explicit, and is a promise not only of delivering Keilah out of the hands of the Philistines, but of delivering them into David’s hands, and so of an entire: victory; and therefore none of David’s men had anything to fear after such a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“If Gad was with David at the forest of Hareth 1 Samuel 22:5, and there inquired for him of the Lord 1 Samuel 23:2,1 Samuel 23:4, but did not accompany him to Keilah, and if Abiathar’s flight occurred at the time of David’s being at Keilah, we have an additional striking instance of God’s watchful providential care of David in thus sending Abiathar to supply the place of Gad at so critical a moment. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Enquired again - Not for his own, but for his soldiers satisfaction. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 23:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:4 David asked the Lord either directly in prayer or by using the ephod (see 23:6, 9; 2 Sam 2:1; 5:23-24). God’s answers were a sign of his blessing and protection (cp. 1 Sam 28:6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“yet again: Sa1 28:6; Jdg 6:39 for I will: Jos 8:7; Jdg 7:7; Sa2 5:19; Kg2 3:18 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 23:6”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification