John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Then they told David , etc.] Either the men of Keilah sent to him, being near them, or some well wishers of theirs, and of their country, acquainted him with their case: saying, behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah ; had laid siege to it, being a fortified place, ( 1 Samuel 23:7); it was a city in the tribe of Judah, on the borders of the Philistines; of which (see Gill on “ Joshua 15:44”); and they rob the threshing floors ; took away the corn upon them, which they were threshing and winnowing, which were usually done without the city for the sake of wind, (see Judges 6:11 Ruth 3:2,15); it was harvest time when the three mighty men came to David in the cave of Adullam, and so now it might be the time of threshing, harvest being over, (see 1 Samuel 22:1); compared with ( 2 Samuel 23:13).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - When princes persecute God's people, let them expect vexation on all sides. The way for any country to be quiet, is to let God's church be quiet in it: if Saul fight against David, the Philistines fight agains his country. David considered himself the protector of the land. Thu did the Saviour Jesus, and left us an example. Those are unlike David who sullenly decline to do good, if they are not rewarded for services.
Original Hebrew ויגדו5046 לדוד1732 לאמר559 הנה2009 פלשׁתים6430 נלחמים3898 בקעילה7084 והמה1992 שׁסים8154 את853 הגרנות׃1637
