1 Samuel 23:7

5 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.

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.

And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.

8 And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

9 And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.”
KJV
And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.
WEB
Saul was told that David had come to Keilah. Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he is shut in by entering into a town that has gates and bars.”
ASV
And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.
DARBY
And it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. Then Saul said, God has cast him off into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a city that has gates and bars.
BLB
And it was told to Saul that David had gone to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.”
ÅB
Da Saul fikk spurt at David var kommet til Ke'ila, sa han: Gud kjennes ikke ved ham og har gitt ham i min hånd; for han har stengt seg selv inne ved å gå inn i en by med dobbelte porter og bommer.
OTB
Da det ble rapportert til Saul at David hadde kommet til Ke'ila, bemerket Saul: "Gud har overgitt ham i mine hender, for han har fanget seg selv ved å gå inn i en by med doble porter og bommer."
B1930
Da Saul fikk spurt at David var kommet til Ke'ila, sa han: Gud kjennes ikke ved ham og har gitt ham i min hånd; for han har stengt sig selv inne ved å gå inn i en by med dobbelte porter og bommer.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Samuel 24:4–6

    And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.

    Read in context
  • Job 20:5

    That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 26:8–9

    Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 23:14

    And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 71:10–11

    For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

    Read in context
  • Exodus 14:3

    For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 15:9

    The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

    Read in context
  • Judges 16:2–3

    And it was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come hither. And they compassed him in, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.

    Read in context