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Monday, July 28th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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THE MESSAGE

1 Samuel 23:2

This verse is not available in the MSG!

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Armies;   David;   Keilah;   Thompson Chain Reference - Enquiring of God;   Inquiring of God;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Philistines, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - David;   High Priest;   Keilah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - David;   High Priest;   Saul;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Hereth;   Keilah;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Prayer;   Urim and Thummim;   War;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Wisdom of Christ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Keilah ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Rock;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Keilah;   Smith Bible Dictionary - U'rim and Thum'mim;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Urim and Thummim;   War;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Priesthood, the;   Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Army;   Urim and Thummim;   War;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Keilah;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
So David inquired of the Lord: “Should I launch an attack against these Philistines?”
Hebrew Names Version
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and strike these Pelishtim? the LORD said to David, Go, and strike the Pelishtim, and save Ke`ilah.
King James Version
Therefore David enquired of the Lord , saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
Lexham English Bible
So David inquired of Yahweh, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And Yahweh said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah."
English Standard Version
Therefore David inquired of the Lord , "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the Lord said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah."
New Century Version
David asked the Lord , "Should I go and fight these Philistines?" The Lord answered him, "Go. Attack them, and save Keilah."
New English Translation
So David asked the Lord , "Should I go and strike down these Philistines?" The Lord said to David, "Go, strike down the Philistines and deliver Keilah."
Amplified Bible
So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the Lord said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah."
New American Standard Bible
So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Therfore Dauid asked counsel of the Lord, saying, Shal I goe and smite these Philistims? And the Lord answered Dauid, Go and smite the Philistims, and saue Keilah.
Legacy Standard Bible
So David asked of Yahweh, saying, "Shall I go and strike these Philistines?" And Yahweh said to David, "Go and strike the Philistines and save Keilah."
Contemporary English Version
David asked the Lord , "Should I attack these Philistines?" "Yes," the Lord answered. "Attack them and rescue Keilah."
Complete Jewish Bible
David consulted Adonai , asking, "Should I go and attack these P'lishtim?" Adonai answered David, "Go, and attack the P'lishtim, and save Ke‘ilah."
Darby Translation
And David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And Jehovah said to David, Go and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
Easy-to-Read Version
David asked the Lord , "Should I go and fight these Philistines?" The Lord answered David, "Yes, go attack the Philistines. Save Keilah."
George Lamsa Translation
And David inquired of the LORD, saying. Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said to him, Go and smite the Philistines and save Keilah.
Good News Translation
So he asked the Lord , "Shall I go and attack the Philistines?" "Yes," the Lord answered. "Attack them and save Keilah."
Literal Translation
And David asked of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go? And shall I strike against these Philistines? And Jehovah said to David, Go, and you shall strike the Philistines and save Keilah.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then Dauid axed at the LORDE, and sayde: Shal I go, & smyte these Philistynes? And the LORDE sayde vnto Dauid: Go thy waye, thou shalt smyte the Philistynes, and delyuer Cegila.
American Standard Version
Therefore David inquired of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And Jehovah said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
Bible in Basic English
So David, questioning the Lord, said, Am I to go and make an attack on these Philistines? And the Lord said to David, Go and make an attack on the Philistines so that Keilah may be kept from falling into their hands.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Therfore Dauid asked counsell of the lord, saying: Shal I go and smyte these Philistines? And the Lord aunswered vnto Dauid: Go, and smite the Philistines, and saue Keila.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying: 'Shall I go and smite these Philistines?' And the LORD said unto David: 'Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.'
King James Version (1611)
Therefore Dauid enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said vnto Dauid, Goe, and smite the Philistines, and saue Keilah.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said, Go, and thou shalt smite these Philistines, and shalt save Keila.
English Revised Version
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
Berean Standard Bible
So David inquired of the LORD, "Should I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor Dauid councelide the Lord, and seide, Whether Y schal go, and smyte Filisteis? And the Lord seide to Dauid, Go thou, and thou schalt smyte Filisteis, and thou schalt saue Seila.
Young's Literal Translation
And David asketh at Jehovah, saying, `Do I go? -- and have I smitten among these Philistines?' And Jehovah saith unto David, `Go, and thou hast smitten among the Philistines, and saved Keilah.'
Update Bible Version
Therefore David inquired of Yahweh, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And Yahweh said to David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said to David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
World English Bible
Therefore David inquired of Yahweh, saying, Shall I go and strike these Philistines? Yahweh said to David, Go, and strike the Philistines, and save Keilah.
New King James Version
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah."
New Living Translation
David asked the Lord , "Should I go and attack them?" "Yes, go and save Keilah," the Lord told him.
New Life Bible
So David asked the Lord, "Should I go and fight these Philistines?" And the Lord said to David, "Go, fight the Philistines, and save Keilah."
New Revised Standard
David inquired of the Lord , "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The Lord said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So David enquired of Yahweh, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And Yahweh said unto David - Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore David consulted the Lord, saying: Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said to David: Go, and thou shalt smite the Philistines, and shalt save Ceila.
Revised Standard Version
Therefore David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Kei'lah."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah."

Contextual Overview

1It was reported to David that the Philistines were raiding Keilah and looting the grain. David went in prayer to God : "Should I go after these Philistines and teach them a lesson?" God said, "Go. Attack the Philistines and save Keilah." 3 But David's men said, "We live in fear of our lives right here in Judah. How can you think of going to Keilah in the thick of the Philistines?" 4 So David went back to God in prayer. God said, "Get going. Head for Keilah. I'm placing the Philistines in your hands." 5David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. He scattered their cattle, beat them decisively, and saved the people of Keilah. After Abiathar took refuge with David, he joined David in the raid on Keilah, bringing the Ephod with him.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

inquired: In what way David made this enquiry we are not told; but it was probably by means of Abiathar; and therefore it would seem, that with Houbigant, we should read the 1 Samuel 23:6, immediately after the 1 Samuel 23:1. - This adventure was truly noble and patriotic. Had not David loved his country, and been above all motives of private and personal revenge, he would have rejoiced in this invasion of Judea, as producing a strong diversion in his favour, and embroiling his inveterate enemy. In most cases, a man with David's wrongs would have joined with the enemies of his country, and avenged himself on the author of his calamities; but he thinks of nothing but succouring Keilah, and using his power and influence in behalf of his brethren. 1 Samuel 23:4, 1 Samuel 23:6, 1 Samuel 23:9-12, 1 Samuel 30:8, Numbers 27:21, Joshua 9:14, Judges 1:1, 2 Samuel 5:19, 2 Samuel 5:23, 1 Chronicles 14:10, Psalms 32:8, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3:6, Jeremiah 10:23

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:22 - inquired 1 Samuel 22:10 - he inquired 1 Samuel 28:15 - answereth 1 Samuel 30:7 - Abiathar 2 Samuel 2:1 - inquired 2 Samuel 21:1 - of the Lord 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 2 Kings 3:19 - And ye 1 Chronicles 13:3 - we inquired 2 Chronicles 18:4 - Inquire Nehemiah 3:17 - Keilah Psalms 18:29 - by thee

Cross-References

Genesis 13:18
Abram moved his tent. He went and settled by the Oaks of Mamre in Hebron. There he built an altar to God .
Genesis 23:14
Then Ephron answered Abraham, "If you insist, master. What's four hundred silver shekels between us? Now go ahead and bury your wife."
Genesis 23:16
Abraham accepted Ephron's offer and paid out the sum that Ephron had named before the town council of Hittites—four hundred silver shekels at the current exchange rate.
Genesis 27:41
Esau seethed in anger against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him; he brooded, "The time for mourning my father's death is close. And then I'll kill my brother Jacob."
Genesis 50:10
Arriving at the Atad Threshing Floor just across the Jordan River, they stopped for a period of mourning, letting their grief out in loud and lengthy lament. For seven days, Joseph engaged in these funeral rites for his father.
Joshua 20:7
They set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hills of Naphtali, Shechem in the hills of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the hills of Judah.
1 Samuel 28:3
Samuel was now dead. All Israel had mourned his death and buried him in Ramah, his hometown. Saul had long since cleaned out all those who held séances with the dead.
2 Samuel 1:17
Then David sang this lament over Saul and his son Jonathan, and gave orders that everyone in Judah learn it by heart. Yes, it's even inscribed in The Book of Jashar.
2 Samuel 5:3
All the leaders of Israel met with King David at Hebron, and the king made a treaty with them in the presence of God . And so they anointed David king over Israel.
Jeremiah 22:10
Don't weep over dead King Josiah. Don't waste your tears. Weep for his exiled son: He's gone for good. He'll never see home again.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, shall I go and smite these Philistines?.... For though David was well disposed to serve his country, and was desirous of freeing them from their enemies the Philistines, he might have some doubts in his mind whether it would be right for him to engage with them now; partly because he could not act under a commission from his prince, Saul the king; and partly because he had such a small number of forces with him, that it might be hazardous for him to attack the armies of the Philistines with them, and attempt to raise the siege of Keilah; and therefore he thought it advisable, as doubtless it was, to inquire of the Lord what was his mind and will in this matter: how and by what means he inquired it is not said, very probably it was by the prophet Gad, who was with him, 1 Samuel 22:5; for as for Abiathar, he was not yet come with the ephod, the Urim and Thummim, to inquire by them, 1 Samuel 23:6; though some think that is observed there to show in what way David did inquire, namely, by Urim and Thummim; and so Kimchi and Abarbinel understand it; and it is supposed that he came to David when he was about Keilah, and near unto it, and so before he came thither, and time enough for him to inquire by him whether he should go thither or not:

and the Lord said unto David, go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah; which was not only giving him leave to go, and signifying it was his mind and will he should; but that he should be successful, and rout the Philistines, and raise the siege of Keilah, and save the city from falling into their hands.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

If Gad was with David at the forest of Hareth 1 Samuel 22:5, and there inquired for him of the Lord 1 Samuel 23:2,1 Samuel 23:4, but did not accompany him to Keilah, and if Abiathar’s flight occurred at the time of David’s being at Keilah, we have an additional striking instance of God’s watchful providential care of David in thus sending Abiathar to supply the place of Gad at so critical a moment.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 23:2. Therefore David inquired of the Lord — In what way David made this inquiry we are not told, but it was probably by means of Abiathar; and therefore I think, with Houbigant that the sixth verse should be read immediately after the first. The adventure mentioned here was truly noble. Had not David loved his country, and been above all motives of private and personal revenge, he would have rejoiced in this invasion of Judah as producing a strong diversion in his favour, and embroiling his inveterate enemy. In most cases a man with David's wrongs would have joined with the enemies of his country, and avenged himself on the author of his adversities; but he thinks of nothing but succouring Keilah, and using his power and influence in behalf of his brethren! This is a rare instance of disinterested heroism.

The Lord said - Go and smite — He might now go with confidence, being assured of success. When God promises success, who need be afraid of the face of any enemy?


 
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