Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 11:16
At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative places David inside a fortified stronghold while a Philistine military garrison occupies Bethlehem during a period of active Philistine encampment.
The words — The Hebrew אָז ('az) translates literally to "then" or "at that time," fixing the account to a precise historical moment. The noun מְצוּדָה (meTzuDah) denotes a fortified stronghold or military outpost, emphasizing the defensive nature of David's location.
The thread — This tactical positioning mirrors earlier Philistine territorial control documented in 1 Samuel 10:5 and 1 Samuel 13:23, where outposts and garrisons are repeatedly stationed across Israelite territory.
Why it lands — The verse establishes the immediate geographical and military tension that directly triggers David's subsequent request for water in 1 Chronicles 11:17.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines’ garrison was then at Beth–lehem.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 10:5 After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying.
- 1 Samuel 13:23 And a garrison of the Philistines had gone out to the pass at Michmash.
- 1 Samuel 13:4 And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.
- 1 Samuel 22:1 So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there.
- 1 Samuel 23:25 and Saul and his men went to seek him. When David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard of this, he pursued David there.
- Psalms 142:1 A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy.