Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 23

Verses 1-29

1 Samuel 23:1-5 David Smites the Philistines - It was King Saul’s responsibility to defend the nation of Israel, but Saul lost his sense of purpose due to pride. He lost his anointing to defend his own nation. The Philistines were keeping Israel unstable by using terrorist tactics. They would find opportunities to wreak havoc in outlying cities. This is why they attacked Keilah, a city in the lowlands of Judah.

1 Samuel 23:4 Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

1 Samuel 23:4 Comments - In 1 Samuel 23:4 the Lord told David to arise and go down to Keilah. One preacher translates this charge from God as, “Go, sick ‘em.”

1 Samuel 23:9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

1 Samuel 23:9 “Bring hither the ephod” - Comments - Here we see David enter into the office of the priest for the first time. The Scriptures tell us that King David walked in this office several times. King Uzziah of Judah, a descendent of David, attempted to walk in this office and immediate judgment fell upon him (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). David was able to use this office on a number of occasions (1 Samuel 30:7-8, 2 Samuel 6:14). Because King David was a type and figure of the Lord Jesus Christ, David represented the Lord Jesus by serving both as priest and king over Israel.

1 Samuel 30:7-8, “And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”

2 Samuel 6:14, “And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.”

1 Samuel 23:17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

1 Samuel 23:17 “I shall be next unto thee” - Comments - This statement was fulfilled in his son Mephibosheth, as David called him to the king's table to dine for the rest of his life.

1 Samuel 23:28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.

1 Samuel 23:28 Word Study on “Selahammahlekoth” Strong says the Hebrew name “Selahammahlekoth” ( הַמַּחְלְקוֹת סֶלַע ) (H5555) means, “rock of the divisions.”