Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
1 SAMUEL 23:13KJVWhat does 1 Samuel 23:13 mean?
1 Samuel 23:13 describes how David and his group of about six hundred men left the town of Keilah and traveled wherever they could, after learning that Saul knew their location. When Saul heard that David had escaped from Keilah, he decided not to pursue him there.
This verse takes place during a time when David is fleeing from King Saul, who sees David as a threat and is trying to capture him. David had just saved the people of Keilah from the Philistines, but after hearing that Saul was coming, he left to avoid putting the town in danger. The verse shows David’s careful decision-making and Saul’s reaction when his plan to trap David fails.
The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 23:13
- The word for "departed" is יָצָא (yatsa’), which means to go out or leave. This word highlights the action of David and his men leaving a place of safety because of the threat from Saul.
- The word for "escaped" is מָלַט (malat), meaning to slip away or deliver oneself. This emphasizes that David’s departure was not just travel, but an urgent escape from danger.
- The word for "forbare" is חָדַל (chadal), which means to cease or stop. In this context, it shows that Saul gave up his immediate plan to go to Keilah once he realized David was gone.
Why 1 Samuel 23:13 matters
- This verse clarifies that David’s escape was not just a random move, but a strategic decision to protect both himself and the people of Keilah from Saul’s wrath.
- The verse highlights the growing number of David’s followers, showing that his support was increasing even as he was on the run.
- It connects to the larger story of David’s flight from Saul, showing the ongoing tension and the lengths David had to go to avoid capture.