Matthew Henry on 1 Samuel 23:7-13
Here is, I. Saul contriving within himself the destruction of David (Sa1 23:7, Sa1 23:8): He heard that he had come to Keilah; and did he not hear what brought him thither? Was it not told him that he had bravely relieved Keilah and delivered it out of the hands of the Philistines? This, one would think, should have put Saul upon considering what honour and dignity should be done to David for this. But, instead of that, he catches at it as an opportunity of doing David a mischief. An ungrateful wretch he was, and for ever unworthy to have any service or kindness done him. Well might David complain of his enemies that they rewarded him evil for good, and that for his love they ere his adversa…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 23:8
Saul called all the people together to war--not the united tribes of Israel, but the inhabitants of the adjoining districts. This force was raised, probably, on the ostensible pretext of opposing the Philistines, while, in reality, it was secretly to arouse mischief against David.
Adam Clarke on 1 Samuel 23:8
Saul called all the people together - That is, all the people of that region or district, that they might scour the country, and hunt out David from all his haunts.
John Gill on 1 Samuel 23:8
And Saul called all the people together to war,.... Or "caused them to hear" (m) summoned them by an herald, whom he sent into all parts of the kingdom to proclaim war, and require them in his name to attend him; which was the prerogative of a king to do:
to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men; that was what he privately intended, but the pretence was to make war against the Philistines.
(m) "fecit audire", Montanus, Piscator.
Keil & Delitzsch on 1 Samuel 23:1-14
Sa1 23:1-14
Rescue of Keilah. - After his return to the mountains of Judah, David received intelligence that Philistines, i.e., a marauding company of these enemies of Israel, were fighting against Keilah, and plundering the threshing-floors, upon which the corn that had been reaped was lying ready for threshing. Keilah belonged to the towns of the lowlands of Judah (Jos 15:44); and although it has not yet been discovered, was certainly very close to the Philistian frontier.
Sa1 23:2
After receiving this information, David inquired of the Lord (through the Urim and Thummim of the high priest) whether he should go and smite these Philistines, and received an affirmative answer.
Sa1 23:3-6
But…
