1 Samuel 23 שְׁמוּאֵל א פרק כ״ג

Masoretic Text, word by word with transliteration and English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open 1 Samuel 23 in the interlinear reader for roots and notes, or listen to it read aloud in Hebrew.

1. 1

   וַיַּגִּדוּvay/yag/GI/duand they toldלְדָוִדLe/da/VIDDavidלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdפְלִשְׁתִּיםFe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesנִלְחָמִיםnil/cha/MIMare fightingבִּקְעִילָהBik/i/LAagainst Keilahוְהֵמָּהve/HEM/maand theyשֹׁסִיםsho/SIMare plunderingאֶת־הַגֳּרָנוֹת׃et-hag/go/ra/NOTthe threshing floors

   Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.

2. 2

   וַיִּשְׁאַלvay/yish/ALso inquiredדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidבַּיהֹוָהba-Adonaiof the LORDלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingהַאֵלֵךְha/e/LEKHshall I goוְהִכֵּיתִיve/hik/ke/TIand strikeבַּפְּלִשְׁתִּיםbap/Pe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesהָאֵלֶּהha/EL/letheseוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto Davidלֵךְlekhgoוְהִכִּיתָve/hik/ki/TAand strikeבַפְּלִשְׁתִּיםVap/pe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesוְהוֹשַׁעְתָּve/ho/sha/TAand saveאֶת־קְעִילָה׃et-Ke/i/LAKeilah

   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.

3. 3

   וַיֹּאמְרוּvay/yo/me/RUand saidאַנְשֵׁיan/SHEthe men ofדָוִדDa/VIDDavidאֵלָיוe/LAYVto himהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdאֲנַחְנוּa/NACH/nuweפֹהfohereבִּיהוּדָהbI/hu/DAin Judahיְרֵאִיםye/re/IMare afraidוְאַףve/AFhow much moreכִּי־נֵלֵךְki-ne/LEKHif we goקְעִלָהKe/i/LAto Keilahאֶל־מַעַרְכוֹתel-ma/ar/KHOTagainst the ranks ofפְּלִשְׁתִּים׃Pe/lish/TIMthe Philistines

   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?

4. 4

   וַיּוֹסֶףvay/YO/sefthen againעוֹדodonce moreדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidלִשְׁאוֹלlish/OLinquiredבַּיהֹוָהba-Adonaiof the LORDוַיַּעֲנֵהוּvay/ya/a/NE/huand answered himיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidקוּםkumariseרֵדredgo downקְעִילָהKe/i/LAto Keilahכִּי־אֲנִיki-a/NIfor Iנֹתֵןno/TENwill giveאֶת־פְּלִשְׁתִּיםet-Pe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesבְּיָדֶךָ׃be/ya/DE/khainto your hand

   Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

5. 5

   וַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidוַאֲנָשָׁוva/a/na/SHAVand his menקְעִילָהKe/i/LAto Keilahוַיִּלָּחֶםvay/yil/LA/chemand foughtבַּפְּלִשְׁתִּיםbap/Pe/lish/TIMwith the Philistinesוַיִּנְהַגvay/yin/HAGand led awayאֶת־מִקְנֵיהֶםet-mik/ne/HEMtheir livestockוַיַּךְvay/YAKHand struckבָּהֶםba/HEMthemמַכָּהmak/KAwith a slaughterגְדוֹלָהge/do/LAgreatוַיֹּשַׁעvay/YO/shaso savedדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאֵת־יֹשְׁבֵיet-yosh/VEthe inhabitants ofקְעִילָה׃Ke/i/LAKeilah

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

6. 6

   וַיְהִיvay/HIand it came to passבִּבְרֹחַbiv/RO/achwhen fledאֶבְיָתָרEv/ya/TARAbiatharבֶּן־אֲחִימֶלֶךְben-A/chi/ME/lekhthe son of Ahimelechאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto DavidקְעִילָהKe/i/LAto Keilahאֵפוֹדe/FODan ephodיָרַדya/RADhe came downבְּיָדוֹ׃be/ya/DOin his hand

   And 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.

7. 7

   וַיֻּגַּדvay/yug/GADand it was toldלְשָׁאוּלLe/sha/ULSaulכִּי־בָאki-vathat had comeדָוִדDa/VIDDavidקְעִילָהKe/i/LAto Keilahוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulנִכַּרnik/KARhas deliveredאֹתוֹo/TOhimאֱלֹהִיםe/lo/HIMGodבְּיָדִיbe/ya/DIinto my handכִּיkiforנִסְגַּרnis/GARhe has shut himself inלָבוֹאla/VOby enteringבְּעִירbe/IRa city withדְּלָתַיִםde/la/TA/yimgatesוּבְרִיחַ׃u/ve/RI/achand bars

   And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.

8. 8

   וַיְשַׁמַּעvay/sham/MAand summonedשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶת־כׇּל־הָעָםet-kol-ha/AMall the peopleלַמִּלְחָמָהlam/mil/cha/MAto warלָרֶדֶתla/RE/detto go downקְעִילָהKe/i/LAto Keilahלָצוּרla/TSURto besiegeאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDDavidוְאֶל־אֲנָשָׁיו׃ve/EL-a/na/SHAYVand his men

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

9. 9

   וַיֵּדַעvay/YE/daand knewדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidכִּיkithatעָלָיוa/LAYVagainst himשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulמַחֲרִישׁma/cha/RISHwas devisingהָרָעָהha/ra/Aevilוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאֶל־אֶבְיָתָרel-Ev/ya/TARto Abiatharהַכֹּהֵןhak/ko/HENthe priestהַגִּישָׁהhag/GI/shabring hereהָאֵפוֹד׃ha/e/FODthe ephod

   And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

10. 10

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDאֱלֹהֵיe/lo/HEthe God ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsraelשָׁמֹעַsha/MO/ahearשָׁמַעsha/MAhas heardעַבְדְּךָav/de/KHAYour servantכִּי־מְבַקֵּשׁki-me/vak/KESHthat is seekingשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulלָבוֹאla/VOto comeאֶל־קְעִילָהel-Ke/i/LAto Keilahלְשַׁחֵתle/sha/CHETto destroyלָעִירla/IRthe cityבַּעֲבוּרִי׃ba/a/vu/RIbecause of me

    Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

11. 11

    הֲיַסְגִּרֻנִיha/yas/gi/RU/niwill surrender meבַעֲלֵיva/a/LEthe men ofקְעִילָהKe/i/LAKeilahבְיָדוֹve/ya/DOinto his handהֲיֵרֵדha/ye/REDwill come downשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERasשָׁמַעsha/MAhas heardעַבְדֶּךָav/DE/khaYour servantיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDאֱלֹהֵיe/lo/HEthe God ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsraelהַגֶּד־נָאhag/GED-natell I prayלְעַבְדֶּךָle/av/DE/khaYour servantוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDיֵרֵד׃ye/REDhe will come down

    Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.

12. 12

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidהֲיַסְגִּרוּha/yas/GI/ruwill surrenderבַּעֲלֵיba/a/LEthe men ofקְעִילָהKe/i/LAKeilahאֹתִיo/TImeוְאֶת־אֲנָשַׁיve/ET-a/na/SHAYand my menבְּיַד־שָׁאוּלbe/YAD-sha/ULinto the hand of Saulוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDיַסְגִּירוּ׃yas/GI/ruthey will surrender you

    Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.

13. 13

    וַיָּקׇםvay/YA/komand aroseדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidוַאֲנָשָׁיוva/a/na/SHAYVand his menכְּשֵׁשׁ־מֵאוֹתke/SHESH-me/OTabout six hundredאִישׁishmenוַיֵּצְאוּvay/yets/Uand went outמִקְּעִלָהmik/Ke/i/LAfrom Keilahוַיִּתְהַלְּכוּvay/yit/hal/le/KHUand wentבַּאֲשֶׁרba/a/SHERwhereverיִתְהַלָּכוּyit/hal/LA/khuthey could goוּלְשָׁאוּלu/Le/sha/ULand to Saulהֻגַּדhug/GADit was toldכִּי־נִמְלַטki-nim/LATthat had escapedדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidמִקְּעִילָהmik/Ke/i/LAfrom Keilahוַיֶּחְדַּלvay/yech/DALand he gave upלָצֵאת׃la/TSETgoing out

    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.

14. 14

    וַיֵּשֶׁבvay/YE/shevand stayedדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidבַּמִּדְבָּרbam/mid/BARin the wildernessבַּמְּצָדוֹתbam/me/tsa/DOTin the strongholdsוַיֵּשֶׁבvay/YE/shevand stayedבָּהָרba/HARin the hill countryבְּמִדְבַּר־זִיףbe/Mid/BAR-zifin the wilderness of Ziphוַיְבַקְשֵׁהוּvay/vak/SHE/huand sought himשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulכׇּל־הַיָּמִיםkol-hay/ya/MIMevery dayוְלֹא־נְתָנוֹve/LO-ne/ta/NObut did not deliver himאֱלֹהִיםe/lo/HIMGodבְּיָדוֹ׃be/ya/DOinto his hand

    And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

15. 15

    וַיַּרְאvay/YARand sawדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidכִּי־יָצָאki-ya/TSAthat had come outשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulלְבַקֵּשׁle/vak/KESHto seekאֶת־נַפְשׁוֹet-naf/SHOhis lifeוְדָוִדve/Da/VIDand David wasבְּמִדְבַּר־זִיףbe/Mid/BAR-zifin the wilderness of Ziphבַּחֹרְשָׁה׃ba/CHOR/shain Horesh

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

16. 16

    וַיָּקׇםvay/YA/komand aroseיְהוֹנָתָןYe/ho/na/TANJonathanבֶּן־שָׁאוּלben-Sha/ULthe son of Saulוַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto DavidחֹרְשָׁהCHOR/shato Horeshוַיְחַזֵּקvay/chaz/ZEKand strengthenedאֶת־יָדוֹet-ya/DOhis handבֵּאלֹהִים׃be/lo/HIMin God

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

17. 17

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאֵלָיוe/LAYVto himאַל־תִּירָאal-ti/RAdo not fearכִּיkiforלֹאlonotתִמְצָאֲךָtim/tsa/a/KHAshall find youיַדyadthe hand ofשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאָבִיa/VImy fatherוְאַתָּהve/at/TAand youתִּמְלֹךְtim/LOKHshall reignעַל־יִשְׂרָאֵלal-Yis/ra/ELover Israelוְאָנֹכִיve/a/no/KHIand Iאֶהְיֶה־לְּךָeh/YE-le/KHAshall be to youלְמִשְׁנֶהle/mish/NEsecondוְגַם־שָׁאוּלve/GAM-sha/ULand Saul alsoאָבִיa/VImy fatherיֹדֵעַyo/DE/aknowsכֵּן׃kenso

    And 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.

18. 18

    וַיִּכְרְתוּvay/yikh/re/TUand they madeשְׁנֵיהֶםshe/ne/HEMboth of themבְּרִיתbe/RITa covenantלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDוַיֵּשֶׁבvay/YE/shevand stayedדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidבַּחֹרְשָׁהba/CHOR/shain HoreshוִיהוֹנָתָןVi/ho/na/TANand Jonathanהָלַךְha/LAKHwentלְבֵיתוֹ׃le/ve/TOto his house

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

19. 19

    וַיַּעֲלוּvay/ya/a/LUthen came upזִפִיםZi/FIMthe Ziphitesאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulהַגִּבְעָתָהhag/Giv/A/tato Gibeahלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingהֲלוֹאha/LOis notדָוִדDa/VIDDavidמִסְתַּתֵּרmis/tat/TERhidingעִמָּנוּim/MA/nuamong usבַמְּצָדוֹתvam/me/tsa/DOTin the strongholdsבַּחֹרְשָׁהba/CHOR/shain Horeshבְּגִבְעַתbe/giv/ATon the hill ofהַחֲכִילָהHa/cha/khi/LAHachilahאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhich isמִימִיןmi/MINsouth ofהַיְשִׁימוֹן׃Hay/shi/MONJeshimon

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

20. 20

    וְעַתָּהve/at/TAnow thereforeלְכׇל־אַוַּתle/KHOL-av/VATaccording to all the desire ofנַפְשְׁךָnaf/she/KHAyour soulהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhO kingלָרֶדֶתla/RE/detto come downרֵדredcome downוְלָנוּve/LA/nuand ours shall beהַסְגִּירוֹhas/gi/ROto surrender himבְּיַדbe/YADinto the hand ofהַמֶּלֶךְ׃ham/ME/lekhthe king

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

21. 21

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulבְּרוּכִיםbe/ru/KHIMblessed beאַתֶּםat/TEMyouלַיהֹוָהla-Adonaiof the LORDכִּיkiforחֲמַלְתֶּםcha/mal/TEMyou have had compassionעָלָי׃a/LAYon me

    And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

22. 22

    לְכוּ־נָאle/KHU-nago I prayהָכִינוּha/KHI/numake sureעוֹדodyetוּדְעוּu/de/Uand knowוּרְאוּu/re/Uand seeאֶת־מְקוֹמוֹet-me/ko/MOhis placeאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhereתִּהְיֶהtih/YEisרַגְלוֹrag/LOhis footמִיmiwhoרָאָהוּra/A/huhas seen himשָׁםshamthereכִּיkiforאָמַרa/MARit is toldאֵלַיe/LAYmeעָרוֹםa/ROMdeal craftilyיַעְרִםya/RIMhe deals craftilyהוּא׃huhe

    Go, I pray you, prepare yet, 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 subtilly.

23. 23

    וּרְאוּu/re/Uand seeוּדְעוּu/de/Uand knowמִכֹּלmik/KOLof allהַמַּחֲבֹאִיםham/ma/cha/vo/IMthe hiding placesאֲשֶׁרa/SHERwhereיִתְחַבֵּאyit/chab/BEhe hidesשָׁםshamthereוְשַׁבְתֶּםve/shav/TEMand come backאֵלַיe/LAYto meאֶל־נָכוֹןel-na/KHONwith certaintyוְהָלַכְתִּיve/ha/lakh/TIand I will goאִתְּכֶםit/te/KHEMwith youוְהָיָהve/ha/YAand it shall beאִם־יֶשְׁנוֹim-yesh/NOif he isבָאָרֶץva/A/retsin the landוְחִפַּשְׂתִּיve/chip/pas/TIthat I will search outאֹתוֹo/TOhimבְּכֹלbe/KHOLamong allאַלְפֵיal/FEthe thousands ofיְהוּדָה׃Ye/hu/DAJudah

    See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again 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 throughout all the thousands of Judah.

24. 24

    וַיָּקוּמוּvay/ya/KU/muand they aroseוַיֵּלְכוּvay/yel/KHUand wentזִיפָהZI/fato Ziphלִפְנֵיlif/NEbeforeשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוְדָוִדve/Da/VIDand Davidוַאֲנָשָׁיוva/a/na/SHAYVand his menבְּמִדְבַּרbe/mid/BARin the wilderness ofמָעוֹןMa/ONMaonבָּעֲרָבָהba/A/ra/VAin the Arabahאֶלelonיְמִיןye/MINthe south ofהַיְשִׁימוֹן׃Hay/shi/MONJeshimon

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

25. 25

    וַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוַאֲנָשָׁיוva/a/na/SHAYVand his menלְבַקֵּשׁle/vak/KESHto seek himוַיַּגִּדוּvay/yag/GI/duand they toldלְדָוִדLe/da/VIDDavidוַיֵּרֶדvay/YE/redso he went downהַסֶּלַעhas/SE/lato the rockוַיֵּשֶׁבvay/YE/shevand stayedבְּמִדְבַּרbe/mid/BARin the wilderness ofמָעוֹןMa/ONMaonוַיִּשְׁמַעvay/yish/MAand when heardשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוַיִּרְדֹּףvay/yir/DOFhe pursuedאַחֲרֵי־דָוִדa/cha/RE-Da/VIDafter Davidמִדְבַּרmid/BARinto the wilderness ofמָעוֹן׃Ma/ONMaon

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

26. 26

    וַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulמִצַּדmits/TSADon the side ofהָהָרha/HARthe mountainמִזֶּהmiz/ZEthisוְדָוִדve/Da/VIDand Davidוַאֲנָשָׁיוva/a/na/SHAYVand his menמִצַּדmits/TSADon the side ofהָהָרha/HARthe mountainמִזֶּהmiz/ZEthatוַיְהִיvay/HIand wasדָוִדDa/VIDDavidנֶחְפָּזnech/PAZhurryingלָלֶכֶתla/LE/khetto goמִפְּנֵיmip/pe/NEfromשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוְשָׁאוּלve/Sha/ULand Saulוַאֲנָשָׁיוva/a/na/SHAYVand his menעֹטְרִיםot/RIMwere surroundingאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDDavidוְאֶל־אֲנָשָׁיוve/EL-a/na/SHAYVand his menלְתׇפְשָׂם׃le/tof/SAMto seize them

    And 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.

27. 27

    וּמַלְאָךְu/mal/AKHbut a messengerבָּאbacameאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingמַהֲרָהma/ha/RAhurryוְלֵכָהve/LE/khaand comeכִּי־פָשְׁטוּki-fa/she/TUfor have raidedפְלִשְׁתִּיםFe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesעַל־הָאָרֶץ׃al-ha/A/retsthe land

    But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

28. 28

    וַיָּשׇׁבvay/YA/shovso returnedשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulמִרְדֹףmir/DOFfrom pursuingאַחֲרֵיa/cha/REafterדָוִדDa/VIDDavidוַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentלִקְרַאתlik/RATagainstפְּלִשְׁתִּיםPe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesעַל־כֵּןal-kenthereforeקָרְאוּka/re/Uthey calledלַמָּקוֹםlam/ma/KOMthat placeהַהוּאha/HUthatסֶלַעSE/laSela-הַמַּחְלְקוֹת׃ham/mach/le/KOThammahlekoth

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