Samuel 23:13 describes David and his six hundred men choosing to leave Keilah upon learning that Saul was coming for them, resulting in Saul ceasing his pursuit and God preserving David to be Israel’s future king.
Then David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the pursuit. (v.13)
This moment in David’s life occurs during his flight from King Saul, who was pursuing him out of jealousy and fear (1 Samuel 18:8-9). The city mentioned here is Keilah, located in the lowland areas of Judah. David and his men had previously saved Keilah from a Philistine attack, but when Saul learned David was there, he sought to capture him (1 Samuel 23:1-12). This city was near the border of the Philistine territory, making it vulnerable to frequent invasions—and a precarious place for David to hide. Once David realized that the people of Keilah were ready to hand him over to Saul, he chose to leave rather than risk capture by the king, demonstrating David’s wisdom in seeking the LORD’s guidance (1 Samuel 23:10-12) as well as his humility in not forcing the inhabitants of the city to suffer for his sake. The verse states, “Then David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah,” showing that David’s force was growing in number and loyalty, which had begun earlier with the gathering of men who were distressed or in debt (1 Samuel 22:2). This reveals David’s emerging leadership, and foreshadows his future as Israel’s shepherd-king.
Leaving Keilah “and [going] wherever they could go” affirms that David continued fleeing from place to place in order to remain free from Saul’s murderous intentions. Saul’s pursuit was relentless, fueled by fear and envy. However, “When it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the pursuit” (v.13). This implies that Saul realized he must expend further resources and energy to find David, and he temporarily turned away from chasing him there. Saul’s abandonment of this particular plan allowed David to move elsewhere for safety, continuing his journey in the wilderness. Through this, the LORD’s protection is evident—though constantly under threat from the reigning king, David remained hidden and eventually rose to the throne in the LORD’s timing. David’s flight and Saul’s pursuit demonstrate the contrast between God’s favor on David and God’s rejection of Saul, whom the LORD had removed His Spirit from due to disobedience (1 Samuel 16:14).
God’s orchestration of events in 1 Samuel often points forward to Christ’s life and ministry: Jesus Himself faced rejection and betrayal, and found refuge among outsiders (Matthew 2:13; Luke 9:58). David’s humble reliance on God, even through exile, thus parallels Christ’s humility in His earthly life (Philippians 2:5-8). Above all, this verse underscores God’s faithfulness to guide and protect His chosen servant, preserving David so he might one day become king of Israel, a lineage through whom the ultimate King, Jesus, would come (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
It emphasizes David's unfailing trust in the LORD, even while he eluded Saul’s grasp: "When it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the pursuit.” (v.13)
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1 Samuel 23:13 meaning
Then David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the pursuit. (v.13)
This moment in David’s life occurs during his flight from King Saul, who was pursuing him out of jealousy and fear (1 Samuel 18:8-9). The city mentioned here is Keilah, located in the lowland areas of Judah. David and his men had previously saved Keilah from a Philistine attack, but when Saul learned David was there, he sought to capture him (1 Samuel 23:1-12). This city was near the border of the Philistine territory, making it vulnerable to frequent invasions—and a precarious place for David to hide. Once David realized that the people of Keilah were ready to hand him over to Saul, he chose to leave rather than risk capture by the king, demonstrating David’s wisdom in seeking the LORD’s guidance (1 Samuel 23:10-12) as well as his humility in not forcing the inhabitants of the city to suffer for his sake. The verse states, “Then David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah,” showing that David’s force was growing in number and loyalty, which had begun earlier with the gathering of men who were distressed or in debt (1 Samuel 22:2). This reveals David’s emerging leadership, and foreshadows his future as Israel’s shepherd-king.
Leaving Keilah “and [going] wherever they could go” affirms that David continued fleeing from place to place in order to remain free from Saul’s murderous intentions. Saul’s pursuit was relentless, fueled by fear and envy. However, “When it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the pursuit” (v.13). This implies that Saul realized he must expend further resources and energy to find David, and he temporarily turned away from chasing him there. Saul’s abandonment of this particular plan allowed David to move elsewhere for safety, continuing his journey in the wilderness. Through this, the LORD’s protection is evident—though constantly under threat from the reigning king, David remained hidden and eventually rose to the throne in the LORD’s timing. David’s flight and Saul’s pursuit demonstrate the contrast between God’s favor on David and God’s rejection of Saul, whom the LORD had removed His Spirit from due to disobedience (1 Samuel 16:14).
God’s orchestration of events in 1 Samuel often points forward to Christ’s life and ministry: Jesus Himself faced rejection and betrayal, and found refuge among outsiders (Matthew 2:13; Luke 9:58). David’s humble reliance on God, even through exile, thus parallels Christ’s humility in His earthly life (Philippians 2:5-8). Above all, this verse underscores God’s faithfulness to guide and protect His chosen servant, preserving David so he might one day become king of Israel, a lineage through whom the ultimate King, Jesus, would come (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
It emphasizes David's unfailing trust in the LORD, even while he eluded Saul’s grasp: "When it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the pursuit.” (v.13)