1 Samuel 23:8
New International Version
And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

New Living Translation
So Saul mobilized his entire army to march to Keilah and besiege David and his men.

English Standard Version
And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

King James Bible
And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

New King James Version
Then Saul called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

New American Standard Bible
So Saul summoned all the people for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

NASB 1995
So Saul summoned all the people for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

NASB 1977
So Saul summoned all the people for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Saul summoned all the people for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

Amplified Bible
So Saul summoned all the people (soldiers) for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul summoned all the troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Saul summoned all the troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

American Standard Version
And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

English Revised Version
And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Saul called together all the troops to go to war and blockade Keilah, where David and his men were.

Good News Translation
So Saul called his troops to war, to march against Keilah and besiege David and his men.

International Standard Version
Saul summoned for battle all his forces to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

NET Bible
So Saul mustered all his army to go down to Keilah and besiege David and his men.

New Heart English Bible
Then Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

World English Bible
Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul summons all the people to the battle, to go down to Keilah, to lay siege to David and to his men.

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul summoneth the whole of the people to battle, to go down to Keilah, to lay siege unto David and unto his men.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will summon all the people to war to go down to Keilah to press against David and against his men.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul commanded all the people to go down to fight against Ceila, and to besiege David, and his men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Saul instructed all the people to descend in order to fight against Keilah, and to besiege David and his men.

New American Bible
Saul then called all the army to war, in order to go down to Keilah and besiege David and his men.

New Revised Standard Version
Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Saul called all the people together to war to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul made it heard to all the people to go down to battle at Qayla, to defeat David and the men who were with him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul charged all the people to go down to war to Keila, to besiege David and his men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Pursues David
7When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” 8Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men. 9When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 19:1
Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,

1 Samuel 24:2
So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

1 Samuel 22:17-19
Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD. / So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. / He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.

1 Samuel 18:11
and he hurled it, thinking, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.

1 Samuel 20:31
For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”

2 Samuel 5:17-18
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

2 Samuel 15:14
And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”

2 Kings 6:13-14
So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city.

Psalm 54:3
For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah

Psalm 59:1-3
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. / Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from men of bloodshed. / See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.

Matthew 2:13
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”

Matthew 26:3-4
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, / and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

John 11:53
So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.

Acts 9:23-24
After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

David

Jeremiah 11:18,19
And the LORD hath given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then thou shewedst me their doings…

Acts 9:24
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

Acts 14:6
They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

Bring

1 Samuel 23:6
And 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.

1 Samuel 14:18
And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel.

1 Samuel 30:7
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.

Jump to Previous
Attack Battle Besiege David Keilah Kei'lah Lay Saul Siege Summoned Summoneth Together War Whole
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Attack Battle Besiege David Keilah Kei'lah Lay Saul Siege Summoned Summoneth Together War Whole
1 Samuel 23
1. David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah
7. God showing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites,
13. he escapes from Keilah
14. In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him
19. The Ziphites discover him to Saul
25. At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines
29. He dwells at En Gedi














So Saul summoned
The Hebrew root for "summoned" is קָרָא (qara), which means to call or proclaim. This action by Saul indicates a deliberate and authoritative command, reflecting his role as king. Historically, a king's summons was a serious matter, often involving the mobilization of resources and people for a significant cause. Saul's summoning of troops underscores his determination to capture David, whom he viewed as a threat to his throne. This reflects Saul's increasing paranoia and departure from God's guidance, contrasting with David's reliance on divine direction.

all his troops
The phrase "all his troops" suggests the full military might of Israel at Saul's disposal. This indicates the gravity with which Saul viewed the situation. The Hebrew term for troops, חַיִל (chayil), can also mean strength or valor, emphasizing the formidable force Saul intended to use against David. This mobilization highlights the extent of Saul's fear and desperation, as he was willing to deploy a significant portion of his army to pursue one man, David, who was anointed by God to be the next king.

to go to war
The phrase "to go to war" is indicative of Saul's aggressive intent. The Hebrew word for war, מִלְחָמָה (milchamah), often implies a battle or conflict. Saul's decision to engage in war against David, who had previously been a loyal servant and hero of Israel, reveals the tragic deterioration of Saul's judgment and his failure to recognize God's plan. This decision marks a pivotal moment in Saul's reign, as he prioritizes personal vendetta over national interest and divine will.

at Keilah
Keilah was a fortified city in the lowlands of Judah. Archaeological evidence suggests it was a strategic location, making it a significant target for military action. Saul's choice to besiege Keilah reflects his tactical approach to corner David. Historically, cities like Keilah were vital for controlling trade routes and regional power. Saul's focus on Keilah underscores his intent to eliminate David's influence and secure his own reign, despite the moral and spiritual implications.

and besiege
The term "besiege" comes from the Hebrew root צָרַר (tsarar), meaning to bind or confine. A siege was a common military tactic in ancient times, involving surrounding a city to cut off supplies and force surrender. Saul's decision to besiege Keilah demonstrates his willingness to use extreme measures to capture David. This act of aggression further illustrates Saul's departure from God's guidance, as he resorts to worldly tactics rather than seeking divine counsel.

David and his men
David, the anointed future king of Israel, is portrayed here as a fugitive, yet he is not alone. "His men" refers to the loyal followers who supported him despite the danger. This group, often referred to as David's mighty men, symbolizes the beginning of David's leadership and the establishment of a new order under God's anointing. The loyalty of David's men contrasts with Saul's isolation, highlighting the divine favor upon David and foreshadowing his eventual rise to kingship. This phrase encapsulates the theme of God's providence and the righteous leadership that David would bring to Israel.

(8) And Saul called all the people together.--Such a summons to war on the part of the sovereign has been always a royal right. The plea, of course, alleged for this "summons" was the necessity of an immediate national effort against the hereditary enemies of the people.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Saul
שָׁא֛וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

summoned
וַיְשַׁמַּ֥ע (way·šam·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his troops
הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

to go
לָרֶ֣דֶת (lā·re·ḏeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

to war
לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

at Keilah
קְעִילָ֔ה (qə·‘î·lāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7084: Keilah -- a city in Judah

and besiege
לָצ֥וּר (lā·ṣūr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6696: To confine, bind, besiege

David
דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

and his men.
אֲנָשָֽׁיו׃ (’ă·nā·šāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person


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OT History: 1 Samuel 23:8 Saul summoned all the people to war (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 23:7
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