1 Samuel 23:7
New International Version
Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has delivered him into my hands, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.”

New Living Translation
Saul soon learned that David was at Keilah. “Good!” he exclaimed. “We’ve got him now! God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself in a walled town!”

English Standard Version
Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. So Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.”

New American Standard Bible
When it was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, “God has handed him over to me, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.”

NASB 1995
When it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.”

NASB 1977
When it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then it was told to Saul that David had come to Keilah, so Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand, for he shut himself in by entering a city with double gates and bars.”

Amplified Bible
Now when Saul was informed that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, “God has handed him over to me, for he shut himself in by entering a city that has double gates and bars.”

Christian Standard Bible
When it was reported to Saul that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with barred gates.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When it was reported to Saul that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with barred gates.”

American Standard Version
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.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Saul was told that David went to Keilah, Saul said, "God has delivered him into my hands. He has trapped himself by going into a city which has [a gate with] a double door [held shut by] a bar."

Good News Translation
Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, "God has put him in my power. David has trapped himself by going into a walled town with fortified gates."

International Standard Version
It was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah, and Saul said, "The LORD has delivered him into my hand because he has shut himself in by going into a town with double gates and bars."

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
When Saul was told that David had come to Keilah, Saul said, "God has delivered him into my hand, for he has boxed himself into a corner by entering a city with two barred gates."

New Heart English Bible
Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. So Saul said, "God has sold him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering into a town that has gates and bars."

Webster's Bible Translation
And it was told to Saul that David had 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.

World English Bible
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it is declared to Saul that David has come to Keilah, and Saul says, “God has made him known for my hand, for he has been shut in, to enter into a city of doors and bar.”

Young's Literal Translation
And it is declared to Saul that David hath come in to Keilah, and Saul saith, 'God hath made him known for my hand, for he hath been shut in, to enter into a city of doors and bar.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be announced to Saul that David came to Keilah. And Saul will say, God sold him into my hand; for he was shut up, to come to a city of doors and bars.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it was told Saul that David was come to Ceila: and Saul said: The Lord hath delivered him into my hands, and he is shut up, being come into a city, that hath gates and bars.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then it was reported to Saul that David had gone to Keilah. And Saul said: “The Lord has delivered him into my hands. For he is enclosed, having entered into a city which has gates and bars.”

New American Bible
When Saul was told that David had entered Keilah, he thought: “God has put him in my hand, for he has boxed himself in by entering a city with gates and bars.”

New Revised Standard Version
Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has given him into my hand; for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God has delivered him into my hands; for he has shut himself up by entering a town that has gates and bars.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they told Shaul that David entered into Qayla, and Shaul said: “God has handed him over into my hands, for he is shut in, because he has entered a city of gates and of bolts”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it was told Saul that David was come to Keila: and Saul said, God has sold him into my hands, for he is shut up, having entered into a city that has gates and bars.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Pursues David
7When 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.” 8Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.…

Cross References
Psalm 54:3
For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah

Psalm 31:13
For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 56:5-6
All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. / They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.

Psalm 59:3
See how they lie in wait for me. Fierce men conspire against me for no transgression or sin of my own, O LORD.

Psalm 140:1-2
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men. Protect me from men of violence, / who devise evil in their hearts and stir up war all day long.

1 Samuel 18:21
“I will give her to David,” Saul thought, “so that she may be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines may be against him.” So Saul said to David, “For a second time now you can be my son-in-law.”

1 Samuel 19:11
Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!”

1 Samuel 24:20
Now I know for sure that you will be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.

1 Samuel 26:1
Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding on the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?”

2 Samuel 15:31
Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

2 Samuel 17:1-4
Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. / I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king / and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.” ...

2 Samuel 22:49
who frees me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men.

Matthew 26:4
and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

Matthew 27:1
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.


Treasury of Scripture

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

A.

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.

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…

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…

he is shut

Exodus 14:3
For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

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.

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…

Jump to Previous
Bar Bars Cast City David Delivered Doors Double Enter Entering Hand Handed Hands Imprisoned Keilah Kei'lah Locked News Saul Shut Walled
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Bar Bars Cast City David Delivered Doors Double Enter Entering Hand Handed Hands Imprisoned Keilah Kei'lah Locked News Saul Shut Walled
1 Samuel 23
1. David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah
7. God showing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites,
13. he escapes from Keilah
14. In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him
19. The Ziphites discover him to Saul
25. At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines
29. He dwells at En Gedi














When Saul was told
This phrase indicates the communication network and intelligence system in ancient Israel. Saul, as king, had informants and spies who kept him updated on David's movements. The Hebrew root for "told" is "נָגַד" (nagad), which means to declare or announce. This reflects the constant vigilance and pursuit Saul had over David, highlighting the tension and conflict between the two anointed by God.

that David had gone to Keilah
Keilah was a fortified city in the lowlands of Judah. The historical and archaeological context of Keilah shows it as a strategic location, often under threat from the Philistines. David's decision to go to Keilah was driven by his desire to protect the people from Philistine attacks, demonstrating his role as a protector and leader even before becoming king. This action contrasts with Saul's neglect of his kingly duties.

he said, 'God has delivered him into my hand
Saul's statement reveals his belief that God was orchestrating events in his favor. The Hebrew word for "delivered" is "נָתַן" (natan), meaning to give or hand over. Saul misinterprets the situation, seeing it as divine approval of his pursuit of David. This reflects a common theme in Scripture where individuals misinterpret God's will to justify their actions, highlighting the importance of discernment and seeking God's true guidance.

for he has trapped himself
The phrase suggests a tactical advantage perceived by Saul. The Hebrew root "סָגַר" (sagar) means to shut or close, indicating that Saul believed David had limited his own options. This reflects Saul's military mindset and his underestimation of David's resourcefulness and God's providence in David's life. It serves as a reminder that human plans are often thwarted by divine intervention.

by entering a town with gates and bars
This description of Keilah emphasizes its fortified nature, with "gates and bars" symbolizing security and protection. However, Saul sees it as a trap for David. The historical context shows that fortified cities were both places of refuge and potential prisons. Spiritually, this highlights the paradox of human security versus divine security, where true safety is found not in physical structures but in God's protection.

(7) God hath delivered him into mine hand.--There was little chance, Saul knew, of his being able to capture or slay his foe when he was roaming at large through the desert and forests which lay to the south of Palestine, and which stretched far southward beyond the reach of any armed force that he could collect; but there was a hope of being able to compass his enemy's destruction, either through treachery or a hand-to-hand encounter, in a confined space like a city with bars and gates, such as Keilah. Saul and his counsellors knew too well whom they had to deal with in the case of the citizens of that faithless, thankless city. It is strange, after all that had passed, that Saul could delude himself that his cause was the cause of God, and that David was the reprobate and rejected. The Hebrew word here is remarkable: God hath "repudiated or rejected him." The LXX. renders "sold him" (into my hands).

Verses 7, 8. - It was well nigh a hopeless matter to hunt David as long as he remained on the borders of the desert of Judah, but once shut up in a town his capture was inevitable. When Saul, therefore, heard that David was at Keilah, he said, God hath delivered him into my hand. The Syriac, Chaldee, and Vulgate translate in the same way, probably as the nearest equivalent to the Hebrew, while the Septuagint has a different reading - sold. The Hebrew phrase is a very strong one; literally, "God hath ignored him," hath treated him as a stranger, and so let, him fall "into my hand." Possibly Saul s metaphor was taken from the popular language, and no attempt should be made to get rid of unusual expressions, as if they were false readings. By entering into a town that hath gates and bars. Either the people of a walled town would give up David rather than expose themselves to the horrors of a siege (2 Samuel 20:21, 22), or, if they stood by him, its capture would be a mere matter of time. David, it seems, would have run the risk, but happily was prevented.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When it was reported
וַיֻּגַּ֣ד (way·yug·gaḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

to Saul
לְשָׁא֔וּל (lə·šā·’ūl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

that
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

David
דָוִ֖ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

had gone
בָ֥א (ḇā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to Keilah,
קְעִילָ֑ה (qə·‘î·lāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7084: Keilah -- a city in Judah

he
שָׁא֗וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“God
אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has delivered
נִכַּ֨ר (nik·kar)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5234: To regard, recognize

him
אֹת֤וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

into my hand,
בְּיָדִ֔י (bə·yā·ḏî)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

for
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he has trapped himself
נִסְגַּ֣ר (nis·gar)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender

by entering
לָב֔וֹא (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

a town
בְּעִ֖יר (bə·‘îr)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

with gates
דְּלָתַ֥יִם (də·lā·ṯa·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

and bars.”
וּבְרִֽיחַ׃ (ū·ḇə·rî·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1280: A bolt


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OT History: 1 Samuel 23:7 It was told Saul that David was (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 23:6
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