1 Samuel 23:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech had fled to David to Keilah, he had come down with an ephod in his hand.

NIV: (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

NASB: Now it came about, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

CSB: Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, and he brought an ephod with him.

NLT: Now when Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, he brought the ephod with him.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now it happened, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, that he went down with an ephod in his hand.

First Samuel 23:6–14 echoes the saying that "no good deed goes unpunished." He and his 600 men have saved the city of Keilah from Philistines who were stealing grain. When Saul hears, he plots to trap David in the city. God warns David that the residents will turn him over to the king, so David takes his army and flees into the wilderness. With the help of other locals, Saul finds David and chases him around a mountain. Just when Saul's army is about to take David's, the king hears the Philistines are attacking again and withdraws (1 Samuel 15–29).

First Samuel 23 describes God's protection of David from Saul. God tells David and his men to save the city of Keilah from the Philistines. When Saul plans to trap David and his army in the city, God warns David the people will betray them. Jonathan visits and encourages David. More locals offer to betray David to Saul, but just as the king draws near, he hears the Philistines are attacking. Jonathan is right that God is protecting David.

David had been the hero of the people. He still is, in some ways. But he's had to run from his murderous king. He's been forced to feign madness to escape the Philistines. Recently, he has learned that Saul destroyed everyone in the city of the priest who helped David (1 Samuel 18—23). Now, David is responsible for 600 desperate men and their families, and Saul is hunting him. Twice, God saves David without making him fight Saul (1 Samuel 23). Next, David will refuse to kill Saul (1 Samuel 24). David is on the run, but God is keeping him safe.

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 8/28/2025 7:21:00 PM