The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

1 Samuel 23

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Nevi'im — the Prophets

1 Samuel chapter 23 — part of the Nevi'im — the Prophets in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “And they told David, saying: 'Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.'” — the complete text of all 28 verses is below, free to read online.

1And they told David, saying: 'Behold, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors.'

2Therefore David inquired of HaShem, saying: 'Shall I go and smite these Philistines?' And HaShem said unto David: 'Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.'

3And David's men said unto him: 'Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?'

4Then David inquired of HaShem yet again. And HaShem answered him and said: 'Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thy hand.'

5And David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and slew them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

6And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

7And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said: 'G-d hath delivered him into my hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.'

8And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

9And David knew that Saul devised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest: 'Bring hither the ephod.'

10Then said David: 'O HaShem, the G-d of Israel, Thy servant hath surely heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

11Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as Thy servant hath heard?' O HaShem, the G-d of Israel, I beseech Thee, tell Thy servant.' And HaShem said: 'He will come down.'

12Then said David: 'Will the men of Keilah deliver up me and my men into the hand of Saul?' And HaShem said: 'They will deliver thee up.'

13Then David and his men, who 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 forbore to go forth.

14And David abode in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill-country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but G-d delivered him not into his hand.

15And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life; and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in the wood.

16And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in G-d.

17And he said unto him: 'Fear not; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.'

18And they two made a covenant before HaShem; and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

19Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying: 'Doth not David hide himself with us in the strongholds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

20Now therefore, O king, come down, according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him up into the king's hand.'

21And Saul said: 'Blessed be ye of HaShem; for ye have had compassion on me.

22Go, I pray you, make yet more sure, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there; for it is told me that he dealeth very subtly.

23See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking-places where he hideth himself, and come ye back to me with the certainty, and I will go with you; and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah.'

24And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul; but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah on the south of Jeshimon.

25And Saul and his men went to seek him. And they told David; wherefore he came down to the rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

26And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain; and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

27But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying: 'Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have made a raid upon the land.'

28So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.

28 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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