Keilah is a significant city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the lowlands of Judah. It is primarily known for its association with King David during his fugitive years while fleeing from King Saul. The city is referenced in several key biblical passages, providing insights into its historical and theological importance.

Geographical and Historical Context

Keilah was situated in the Shephelah, the fertile lowland region of Judah, which served as a buffer zone between the hill country of Judah and the Philistine territories. This strategic location made Keilah a site of frequent conflict, particularly during the period of the Judges and the early monarchy in Israel.

Biblical Narrative

The most notable biblical account involving Keilah is found in 1 Samuel 23. During this period, David was on the run from King Saul, who sought to kill him. The Philistines attacked Keilah, looting the threshing floors. David, upon receiving news of the Philistine assault, inquired of the LORD whether he should intervene. The LORD instructed David to go and save Keilah, promising him victory over the Philistines.

1 Samuel 23:2-5 records this divine guidance and David's subsequent actions: "So David inquired of the LORD, 'Shall I go and attack these Philistines?' The LORD answered him, 'Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.' But David’s men said to him, 'Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!' Once again David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him, 'Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.' So David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, carried off their livestock, and inflicted heavy losses on them. Thus David saved the people of Keilah."

After the victory, David and his men stayed in Keilah. However, upon learning that Saul was plotting to besiege the city to capture him, David sought the LORD's counsel again. The LORD revealed that the people of Keilah would betray David to Saul. Consequently, David and his men departed from Keilah, continuing their flight from Saul.

Theological Significance

The narrative of Keilah highlights several theological themes. First, it underscores the importance of seeking divine guidance in times of crisis. David's repeated inquiries of the LORD demonstrate his reliance on God's direction rather than solely on human wisdom or military might.

Second, the account illustrates the precariousness of human loyalty. Despite David's deliverance of Keilah from the Philistines, the inhabitants were willing to betray him to Saul. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the fickleness of human allegiance and the need for trust in God's faithfulness.

Lastly, the episode at Keilah foreshadows David's future as a king who would be both a warrior and a man after God's own heart. His actions in Keilah reveal his role as a protector of Israel, prefiguring his later reign as a shepherd-king who would lead the nation according to God's will.

Archaeological Insights

While the exact location of Keilah has been debated, it is generally identified with the site of Khirbet Qila, near the modern village of Qila. Archaeological surveys in the region have uncovered remains from various periods, including the Iron Age, which corresponds to the time of David. These findings provide a backdrop for understanding the historical context of the biblical narrative.

Conclusion

Keilah's account is a testament to the complexities of leadership, loyalty, and divine guidance in the life of David. It serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those who seek to follow God's will amidst the uncertainties of human affairs.Keilah

(fortress), a city of the Shefelah, or lowland district of Judah. (Joshua 15:44) Its main interest consists in its connection with David. (1 Samuel 23:7-13) It is represented by Kila , a site with ruins, on the lower road from Beit Jibria to Hebron.

Keilah

A city in the plains of Judah, which David once relieved from a siege by the Philistines, but which afterwards sought to deliver him up to Saul, 1 Samuel 23:1-13; Nehemiah 3:17.

Citadel, a city in the lowlands of Judah (Joshua 15:44). David rescued it from the attack of the Philistines (1 Samuel 23:1-8); but the inhabitants proving unfaithful to him, in that they sought to deliver him up to Saul (13), he and his men "departed from Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go." They fled to the hill Hareth, about 3 miles to the east, and thence through Hebron to Ziph (q.v.). "And David was in the wilderness of Ziph, in a wood" (1 Samuel 23:15). Here Jonathan sought him out, "and strengthened his hand in God." This was the last interview between David and Jonathan (23:16-18). It is the modern Khurbet Kila. Others identify it with Khuweilfeh, between Beit Jibrin (Eleutheropolis) and Beersheba, mentioned in the Amarna tablets. KEILAH

ke-i'-la (qe`ilah; Keeilam):

(1) A city of the Shephelah mentioned (Joshua 15:44) along with Nezib, Aehzib and Mareshah. Among those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem was "Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district. After him repaired their brethren, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah" (Nehemiah 3:17, 18).

1. David and Keilah:

It is, however, from the story of the wandering of David that we have most information regarding this place. It was a city with gates and bars (1 Samuel 23:7). The Philistines came against it and commenced robbing the threshing-floors. David, after twice inquiring of Yahweh, went down with his 600 men (1 Samuel 23:13) and "fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and slew them with great slaughter." Saul hearing that David and his men were within a fortified town "summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men" (1 Samuel 23:8). Then David asked Abiathar the priest to bring him an ephod, and he inquired of Yahweh whether, if Saul came, the men of Keilah would surrender him to save that city; hearing from Yahweh, "They will deliver thee up," he and all his men escaped from Keilah and went into the wilderness. The reputed strength of Keilah is confirmed by its mention in 5 tablets in the Tell el-Amarna Letters under the name of Kilts (qilti, Petrie) with Gedor, Gath, Rabbah and Gezer.

2. Identification:

Although other identifications were proposed by the older topographers, there is now a general consensus of opinion that the site of this city is Khurbet Kila (Josephus, Ant, VI, xiii, 1, in his account of David's adventure calls the place "Killa"). It is a hill covered with ruins in the higher part of Wady es Sur, 1,575 ft. above sea-level, whose terraced sides are covered with grainfields. The Eusebius, Onomasticon (Latin text) states that it was 8 miles from Eleutheropolis, which is about the distance of Khurbet Kila from Beit Jibrin. Beit Nusib (Nezib) is a couple of miles away, and Tell Sandahannah (Mareshah) but 7 miles to the West (Joshua 15:44). An early Christian tradition states that the prophet Habakkuk was buried at Keilah.

(2) The Garmite (which see), 1 Chronicles 4:19; see PEF, 314, Sh XXI.

E. W. G. Masterman

1636. Garmi -- "bony," a name applied to Keilah
... 1635, 1636. Garmi. 1637 . "bony," a name applied to Keilah. Transliteration:
Garmi Phonetic Spelling: (gar-mee') Short Definition: Garmite. ...
/hebrew/1636.htm - 6k

7084. Qeilah -- a city in Judah
... 7083, 7084. Qeilah. 7085 . a city in Judah. Transliteration: Qeilah Phonetic
Spelling: (keh-ee-law') Short Definition: Keilah. ... Keilah. ...
/hebrew/7084.htm - 6k

A Soldier who Spared his Enemy
... Now when David was told, "The Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing
the threshing-floors," he inquired of Jehovah, "Shall I go and attack ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a soldier who spared his.htm

How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did ...
... 1. About this time it was that David heard how the Philistines had made an inroad
into the country of Keilah, and robbed it; so he offered himself to fight ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how david when.htm

Chronology.
... [81] Sozomen, HE vii. 29, says that Habakkuk's tomb was found at Keilah, kela,
he prin keila . . . kath' en ho Abakoum (sic) heurethe. ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/chronology 3.htm

Appendices
... Malchiel and Suardatum have done against the country of the king my lord, hiring (?)
the forces of the cities of Gezer, of Gath, and of Keilah, and occupying ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Index I.
... Kamphausen, 111, 212. Karlstadt, 10. Kautzsch, 29, 30. Keil, 186, 188. Keilah, 230.
Kells, 86. Kennedy, J., 37, 117. Kirkpatrick, Prof., 227. Lagarde, 129. Liddon ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/index i.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... But the cowardly townspeople of Keilah had less gratitude than fear; and the king's
banished son-in-law was too dangerous a guest, even though he was of their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vi the exilecontinued.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... lower slopes of the mountains, a number of similar fortresses and villages, such
as Iurza, Migdol, Lachish, Ajalon, Shocho, Adora, Aphukin, Keilah, Gezer, and ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... When he was at Keilah still but four hundred, both in Josephus and in the LXXX.;
but six hundred in our Hebrew copies, 1 Samuel 23:3; see 30:9, 10. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

Sixth Proposition of Arminius
... the Now of eternity, which would be events unless they should be hindered, as is
evident from 1 Samuel 23:12, in reference to the citizens of Keilah, who would ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/sixth proposition of arminius.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Keilah (16 Occurrences)
... 23:1-8); but the inhabitants proving unfaithful to him, in that they sought to deliver
him up to Saul (13), he and his men "departed from Keilah, and went ...
/k/keilah.htm - 15k

Abi-keilah (1 Occurrence)
Abi-keilah. Abi'jam, Abi-keilah. Abila . Multi-Version Concordance
Abi-keilah (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 4:19 and ...
/a/abi-keilah.htm - 6k

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)
Kei'lah. Keilah, Kei'lah. Kelaiah . ... Kei'lah (16 Occurrences). Joshua 15:44 and
Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages. (See RSV). ...
/k/kei'lah.htm - 10k

Surrender (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:11 Then said David, "Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into
the hand of Saul?" Yahweh said, "They will deliver you up." (See NAS RSV NIV ...
/s/surrender.htm - 13k

Naham (1 Occurrence)
... NAHAM. na'-ham (nacham, "comfort"): A Judahite chieftain, father of Keilah the Garmite
(1 Chronicles 4:19); the passage is obscure. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/n/naham.htm - 7k

Nezib (1 Occurrence)
... ne'-zib (netsibh; Codex Vaticanus Naseib; Codex Alexandrinus Nesib): A town in the
Judean Shephelah, mentioned along with Keilah and Mareshah (Joshua 15:43). ...
/n/nezib.htm - 7k

Leadeth (42 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:5 And David goeth, and his men, to Keilah, and fighteth with the
Philistines, and leadeth away their cattle, and smiteth among them -- a great ...
/l/leadeth.htm - 18k

Losses (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:5 David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines,
and brought away their livestock, and killed them with a great slaughter. ...
/l/losses.htm - 7k

Garmite (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia GARMITE. gar'-mit (garmi): A gentilic name applied
to Keilah in 1 Chronicles 4:19. The reason for this is not known. ...
/g/garmite.htm - 7k

Whithersoever (32 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 23:13 Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and
departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. ...
/w/whithersoever.htm - 17k

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