Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 23:3
And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
3. here in Judah ] Keilah belonged to the tribe of Judah (Jos 15:44): so that Judah must here be used in a limited sense of the highlands of Judah.
the armies of the Philistines ] David’s men exaggerate the marauding bands of Philistines into a regular army.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Here in Judah, i. e. in this part of Judah, whereas yet we have no army to oppose us; for else Keilah also was in Judah.
If we come to Keilah; when we shall have a potent enemy before us, the Philistines, and, it may be, another behind us, even Saul, who probably will come forth, either to resist the Philistines, or to intercept us.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And David’s men said unto him, behold, we be afraid here in Judah,…. Of Saul and his army falling upon them, and crushing them, though they were in the tribe of Judah, where they had many friends, and in the heart of that tribe:
how much more then if we come to Keilah; which, though in the same tribe, yet in the further parts of it, and on the borders of the Philistines: and there engage
against the armies of the Philistines? too numerous and powerful for them, and so by this means be driven out of their place of safety, the forest of Hareth, where they could hide themselves upon occasion; to be exposed not only to the Philistines, before them, on the edge of their country, from whence they could have re-enforcements easily, but to Saul and his army behind them; and so, being between two fires, would be in danger of being cut off.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(3) Here in Judah.This does not imply that Keilah was out of the territory of Judah, but simply that the district in the neighbourhood round Keilah was at that time under Philistine domination. The open country in times of Philistine supremacy first fell under their control; their strong places, like Keilah, would resist for a much longer period.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. We be afraid here in Judah Afraid of Saul’s pursuit and sudden attack. They thought that any engagement against an enemy would expose them to still greater danger.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 23:3 And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
Ver. 3. And David’s men said unto him.] See a like discouraging speech of the disciples to our Saviour, Joh 11:8 and his resolute answer. 1Sa 23:9-10 God may be safely and must be faithfully followed, whithersoever he leads us: neither must we stand casting of perils.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
men. Hebrew. ‘enosh. App-14.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Behold: 1Sa 23:15, 1Sa 23:23, 1Sa 23:26, Psa 11:1, Jer 12:5
Reciprocal: Pro 20:8 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 23:3-4. Davids men said, Behold, we are afraid here in Judah They had more than difficulty enough to defend themselves against Saul where they were; and could it be less than madness to provoke more and greater enemies? Doubtless Saul would send forces to beat off the Philistines, and then they should be pent in between two hostile armies. And yet, notwithstanding all this, David undertook and achieved the adventure; which it was impossible he should, against such fears, and such reasonings of his forces, from any motive other than the assurance of divine protection and aid. Which fully confirms the Scripture account of this matter, that he did not undertake it until he had, for the fuller satisfaction of his associates, again consulted, and was again assured of success by the divine oracle.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
23:3 And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in {b} Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
(b) That is, in the midst of Judah, much more when we come to the borders against our enemies.