Know the Text⌕

Reading as Seek: to learn Scripture and its teachings. Same facts, warmer framing.

Place · City

Keilah

Named in 15 verses across 3 books, first in Joshua 15:44.

In the Bible

The first 10 of 15 verses, in Bible order. Text from the Berean Standard Bible; verse numbers follow the KJV.

Joshua

  • Joshua 15:44

    Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah—nine cities, along with their villages.

1 Samuel

  • 1 Samuel 23:1

    Now it was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and looting the threshing floors.”

  • 1 Samuel 23:2

    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 save Keilah.”

  • 1 Samuel 23:3

    But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?”

  • 1 Samuel 23:4

    Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

  • 1 Samuel 23:5

    Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, and carried off their livestock, striking them with a mighty blow. So David saved the people of Keilah.

  • 1 Samuel 23:6

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

  • 1 Samuel 23:7

    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.”

  • 1 Samuel 23:8

    Then Saul summoned all his troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

  • 1 Samuel 23:10

    And David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the city on my account.

Dictionary

From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), as attached to this record by Theographic. Its geography and “modern” descriptions date from the 1890s. Easton wrote in 1897, and some of his views are now debated.

Read Easton’s entry

Citadel, a city in the lowlands of Judah (Josh. 15:44). David rescued it from the attack of the Philistines (1 Sam. 23:1-8); but the inhabitants proving unfaithful to him, in that they sought to deliver him up to Saul (13), he and his men “departed from Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go.” They fled to the hill Hareth, about 3 miles to the east, and thence through Hebron to Ziph (q.v.). “And David was in the wilderness of Ziph, in a wood” (1 Sam. 23:15). Here Jonathan sought him out, “and strengthened his hand in God.” This was the last interview between David and Jonathan (23:16-18). It is the modern Khurbet Kila. Others identify it with Khuweilfeh, between Beit Jibrin (Eleutheropolis) and Beersheba, mentioned in the Amarna tablets.

Report a problem

Found something wrong, unsourced or unfair? Tell us; every report is read. Please don’t include personal information.

↑