So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

1 SAMUEL 23:5KJV
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1 Samuel 23:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 23:5 mean?

1 Samuel 23:5 describes how David and his men went to the town of Keilah, fought against the Philistines, defeated them, took their livestock, and rescued the people living there. The verse highlights David’s successful effort to save Keilah’s inhabitants from their enemies.

In this scene, David is leading a group of followers while Saul is still king, and the Philistines are attacking Keilah, a town in Judah. David acts on information he receives and intervenes to protect the town, showing both his leadership and his concern for his fellow Israelites. The verse marks a turning point where David is seen not just as a fugitive, but as a deliverer for the people.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 23:5

  • The word "saved" (יָשַׁע, yasha‘) means to deliver or rescue. This word emphasizes that David’s actions were not just military victory but an act of deliverance for the people of Keilah.
  • The word "inhabitants" (יָשַׁב, yashav) refers to those who dwell or live in a place. This highlights that David’s concern was for the everyday people of the town, not just its leaders or soldiers.
  • The word "cattle" (מִקְנֶה, miqneh) refers to livestock, which were valuable property. Mentioning the cattle shows that the victory also protected the town’s resources and economic well-being.

Why 1 Samuel 23:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David was acting as a protector of Israel even before he became king, stepping in where Saul was absent.
  • The detail about taking the Philistines’ cattle shows that the victory was not just about defeating an enemy, but also about restoring what had been taken from the people.
  • The verse connects to the larger story by showing David’s growing reputation as a leader who cares for his people, setting the stage for his future role as king.

Where else these words appear

“Keilah” Hebrew H7084 · used in 16 verses

  • Joshua 15:44 And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:
  • 1 Samuel 23:6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
  • 1 Samuel 23:12 Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.

“away” Hebrew H5090 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 31:18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
  • 2 Samuel 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
  • Psalms 80:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

“slaughter” Hebrew H4347 · used in 46 verses

  • Leviticus 26:21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
  • 1 Samuel 19:8 And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.
  • Isaiah 27:7 Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?

“cattle” Hebrew H4735 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 4:20 And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
  • Exodus 9:3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain.
  • Judges 6:5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.