BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Samuel› Chapter 23› Verse 8

1 Samuel 23:8

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 23:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
1 Samuel 23:8 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
8And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
9And David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
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.
← 1 Samuel 23:71 Samuel 23:9 →
← Full Chapter 23 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Saul called all the people together to war, etc.] Or “caused [them] to hear” f463 summoned them by an herald, whom he sent into all parts of the kingdom to proclaim war, and require them in his name to attend him; which was the prerogative of a king to do: to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men; that was what he privately intended, but the pretence was to make war against the Philistines.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Saul called all the people together to war--not the united tribes of Israel, but the inhabitants of the adjoining districts. This force was raised, probably, on the ostensible pretext of opposing the Philistines, while, in reality, it was secretly to arouse mischief against David.”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

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

Sources and verification