1 samuel 23:13 - Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went wherever they could go. Saul was told that David was escaped from Keilah; and he gave up going there.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 23:13

What does "1 samuel 23:13" mean?


This verse, 1 Samuel 23:13, describes a strategic retreat by David and his men, driven by the betrayal of the people of Keilah:

"Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went wherever they could go." This means David and his 600 followers left the city of Keilah. They didn't have a specific destination; they were simply seeking safety. The phrase "went wherever they could go" implies they were on the run, improvising their escape and seeking refuge where they could find it. They knew the protection that Keilah once provided had vanished because Saul was hunting him and his men.

"Saul was told that David was escaped from Keilah; and he gave up going there." Saul, who was actively pursuing David to kill him, received news that David had left Keilah. Upon hearing this, Saul abandoned his plans to attack Keilah. The assumption is that Saul's interest in Keilah was solely to capture David. With David gone, there was no further reason for Saul to target the city.

In essence, the verse highlights:

David's precarious situation: He was constantly on the move, one step ahead of Saul.
The impact of the news: Saul's actions were driven by information, and he adjusted his strategy accordingly.
Saul's primary focus: Saul's single-minded obsession with hunting down David.

This verse is a turning point that shows David's continued flight from Saul's pursuit. It continues the narrative of David as a fugitive being hunted and of the dangers that he and his men face.