1 Samuel 23:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David asks the Lord whether to act, and the Lord directs him to go and deliver Keilah.
What Does 1 Samuel 23:2 Mean?
Before lifting a sword, David inquires of the Lord. This is the pattern that marks his whole flight: he does not move on impulse or appetite but waits for direction. The answer is clear and immediate -- go, strike the Philistines, and save the town.
David's first instinct in crisis is to ask, not to assume. He treats the Lord as a living counselor whose will can be sought and known. The call to 'save Keilah' places rescue, not conquest, at the heart of the mission, and points toward the One whose every step was ordered by the Father's voice and bent toward saving the lost.
1 Samuel 23:2 in the Original Language
sha''al (שָׁאַל), ''enquired'' -- to ask or seek a word, the same root behind the name Saul.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 23:2
What does 1 Samuel 23:2 mean?
David asks the Lord whether to act, and the Lord directs him to go and deliver Keilah.