1 samuel 23:8 - Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 23:8

What does "1 samuel 23:8" mean?


This verse from 1 Samuel 23:8 describes a key moment in the ongoing conflict between Saul, the current king of Israel, and David, the future king whom Saul sees as a threat. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"Saul summoned all the people to war..." This indicates that Saul is mobilizing a significant force, likely a large army or a substantial contingent of his fighting men. He's not just sending a small detachment; he's making a major military effort.
"...to go down to Keilah..." Keilah is a city in Judah, a region south of Saul's territory. This specifies the target of Saul's military action. He's directing his army to march to Keilah.
"...to besiege David and his men." The purpose of this military campaign is to surround and lay siege to David and his band of followers who are taking refuge in Keilah. A siege is a military tactic where an army surrounds a fortified place, cutting off supplies and reinforcements, in order to force a surrender.

In summary, this verse means that King Saul is launching a full-scale military operation to trap and capture David and his men in the city of Keilah.

Context and Significance:

This verse highlights Saul's paranoia and obsession with eliminating David, driven by his fear of losing the throne to David.
It underscores the precarious situation David is in, constantly on the run and facing threats from Saul.
The events that follow this verse show David's strategic thinking and reliance on God's guidance. David inquires of the Lord about whether he should stay in Keilah and, after receiving confirmation that the people of Keilah will betray him to Saul, he decides to leave. This highlights his ability to discern when and how to act in dangerous circumstances.