Bible Strands
1 Samuel 23:13
Then David and his men, about six hundred strong, set out and departed from Keilah, moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he declined to go forth.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David and his followers depart from Keilah after learning the city will betray them to Saul. Saul receives news of David's escape and halts his military campaign against the city.
The words — וַיֵּצְאוּ (va.ye.tze'u) denotes "they went out," marking the physical exit from Keilah. כְּשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ (ke.shesh me.ot ish) literally reads "about six hundred man," specifying the size of the departing group.
The thread — The text parallels the six-hundred-man force at the Brook of Besor in 1 Samuel 30:9, while earlier and later accounts in 1 Samuel 22:2 and 25:13 record a force of four hundred.
Why it lands — The narrative records David's tactical withdrawal to preserve his men and Saul's temporary retreat when divine warning alters his course. The reader observes how geographical movement and military numbers function as concrete markers of God's protection rather than mere historical details.
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
Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 22:2 And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.
- 1 Samuel 25:13 And David said to his men, “Strap on your swords!” So David and all his men strapped on their swords, and about four hundred men followed David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.
- 1 Samuel 30:9 So David and his six hundred men went to the Brook of Besor, where some stayed behind
- 2 Samuel 15:20 In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.”