Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary1 Samuel 23

David Delivers KeilahDavid was sent to Judah by the prophet Gad for an important reason (1 Samuel 22:5 ). God wanted David to care for the people, even when Saul neglected his duty as king. David was called to do good, even to those who treated him badly. In this way, he showed a Christ-like example, doing good for his enemies.v. 1: News came to David that the Philistines were attacking the city of Keilah and stealing grain from the surrounding countryside . It is likely that the Philistines felt confident to attack because both God and David had left Saul. When a leader oppresses God's people, it often leads to more trouble for the whole country. If Saul fought against David, the Philistines would fight against Saul's land.

v. 2: David wanted to help Keilah, but he first asked the Lord

v. 3: God told David to go and fight the Philistines, but David's men were afraid . They already felt unsafe because of Saul, and now they were scared to fight another enemy. Leading people is not always easy, and David's men doubted whether they should get involved. Because of their fear, David asked God again what to do.

v. 4: When David asked God a second time, God gave him not only permission but also a promise of victory: “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand” . This reassurance from God should have given even the most frightened of David's men the courage to fight.

v. 5: David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines, defeated them, and saved the city (1 Samuel 23:5 ). David also took cattle from the Philistines as payment for the damage they caused. While David was in Keilah after the victory, Abiathar the priest came to him, bringing the ephod, which was used to ask God for guidance (1 Samuel 23:6 ). It was a great encouragement to David that, even when he could not go to the house of God, God sent him the high priest and the ephod to help him seek divine direction.

David Escapes from KeilahThis section shows the danger David faced from Saul and how he depended on God for guidance. Saul, instead of being grateful for David's help in saving Keilah, became jealous and tried to kill him. David showed wisdom by asking God what to do, and God protected him from Saul’s evil plans.v. 7-8: Saul heard that David was in Keilah (1 Samuel 23:7–8 ). Instead of thanking David for saving the city from the Philistines, Saul only saw this as a chance to harm David. Saul even thought God was helping him, saying, “God has delivered him into my hand” (1 Samuel 23:7 ). But Saul was wrong to think God supported his evil plans. He gathered his army, pretending to fight the Philistines, but really wanted to trap David. Saul also secretly planned how to capture David. It is a sad thing when a leader uses his power for personal revenge instead of helping his people.

v. 9: David learned about Saul’s plan to attack Keilah and tried to find out what to do . He quickly called for the ephod, which was used to ask God for guidance. This shows that David trusted God to protect him and lead him in difficult times.

v. 10-12: David prayed to the Lord

v. 13: After hearing God’s warning, David and his 600 men left Keilah and moved from place to place . By leaving, David escaped Saul’s trap. Saul thought he could catch David, but God kept David safe. When Saul heard that David had escaped, he stopped his plan to attack the city with his full army. Saul's evil plan failed because God was on David’s side, delivering him like a bird out of the snare of the fowler (Psalm 124:7 ).

David in the Wilderness of ZiphThis passage describes a difficult time in David’s life. He was hiding from Saul in the wilderness, trusting in God’s protection while facing constant danger. Despite Saul’s relentless pursuit, God kept David safe. The section also highlights the comfort and loyalty of Jonathan, David’s faithful friend, who strengthened David’s faith in God and helped him stay hopeful about the future.v. 14: David stayed in the wilderness, living in the mountains and woods to avoid Saul . He did not try to fight Saul or take revenge, even though he had the strength to do so. Instead, he waited patiently for God’s timing. This shows David’s humility and trust in God. However, it was also a hard time for him. He was treated unfairly, forced to hide, and unable to serve God and his country as he wanted. This reminds us that the world often mistreats good people, but we can look forward to God’s kingdom, where righteousness will be honored.Despite Saul’s efforts, God protected David. Saul could not capture him because God did not allow it (1 Samuel 23:14 ). As Jesus said, “You would have no power over me unless it were given to you from above” (John 19:11 ).

v. 15: Saul hunted David every day, determined to kill him. His hatred for David never rested . This reflects the truth of scripture: “He that is born after the flesh persecuteth him that is born after the spirit” (Galatians 4:29 ).

v. 16-17: Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s close friend, found a way to visit David in the wilderness. He encouraged David and reminded him to trust in God. Jonathan said, “Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will not find you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you” (1 Samuel 23:17 ). This shows Jonathan’s selfless love and faith in God’s plan. Even though Jonathan was Saul’s heir, he accepted that David would be king and supported him.

v. 18: Jonathan and David renewed their covenant of friendship before the Lord

The Ziphites Betray DavidIn this section, David faces danger from his own people, the Ziphites, who offer to betray him to Saul. This betrayal puts David in great peril, but God's providence continues to protect him. Saul’s plans to capture David are frustrated by unexpected events, showing how God watches over His faithful servant. David then finds refuge in the wilderness and continues to trust God through prayer.v. 19-20: The Ziphites, who lived near David in the wilderness of Ziph, offered to help Saul catch David (1 Samuel 23:19–20 ). Even though David belonged to their tribe and had protected the land, the Ziphites wanted to please Saul. They told Saul exactly where David was hiding and promised to hand him over. They did this without being asked or paid, showing how eager they were to betray David.

v. 21-23: Saul was happy to hear this news and thanked the Ziphites, saying, “Blessed be you of the Lord, for you have compassion on me” (1 Samuel 23:21 ). He acted as if he was the victim needing pity, though it was his own anger that caused trouble. Saul told the Ziphites to search carefully because David was very clever at hiding. Saul did not go with them right away, hoping to catch David more easily through their help. But this delay gave David time to escape. The Ziphites watched all the places David might go, so Saul thought he was sure to catch him if David stayed in the area (1 Samuel 23:22-23 ).

v. 24: When David heard that the Ziphites had betrayed him, he left the hill of Hachilah and went deeper into the wilderness of Maon . At this time, David wrote Psalm 54, calling the Ziphites “strangers” because they treated him cruelly even though they were fellow Israelites. In the psalm, David puts his trust in God, saying, “Behold, God is my helper” (Psalm 54:4 ).

v. 25-26: Saul chased David closely and came so near that only a mountain separated them (1 Samuel 23:25-26 ). David and his men hid on one side, while Saul and his soldiers waited on the other. This mountain acted like God’s protection, just as the pillar of cloud separated the Israelites from the Egyptians (Exodus 14:19-20 ). David fled like a bird to his mountain (Psalm 11:1 ), finding safety in God’s care. Saul hoped to surround David with his large army, but the rough land stopped his plan.

v. 27: Just as Saul was ready to capture David, he was forced to change plans because the Philistines invaded the land . This invasion probably threatened Saul’s own property, so he had to stop chasing David and fight the Philistines instead. Though the Philistines did not mean to help David, God used their attack to save David’s life. God’s wisdom always finds ways to protect His people.

v. 28: The place where the mountain divided Saul and David was called Selah-hammah-lekoth, meaning “the rock of division” . It reminded everyone how God protected David by separating him from his enemy.

v. 29: After escaping, David took shelter in natural strongholds in the wilderness of En-gedi (1 Samuel 23:29 ). According to some scholars, this was the wilderness of Judah, where David wrote Psalm 63, expressing deep love and trust in God. Even in hard times, David kept close to God and found comfort in Him.