Keilah

The name of a place and a person.

1) A small town belonging to the tribe of Judah (Jos 14:44) which entered into Israelite memory when it came under Philistine attack during the reign of Saul (1 Samuel 23:1). David—at that time a refugee. When the news arrived at his camp in the Judean wilderness, he "enquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The Lord answered him, "Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah." When his motley band of followers protested, he enquired of the Lord again, with similar result. David and his men descended on the town and routed the Philistines and relieved the citizens of the town.

When Saul heard that David was headed for Keilah in an attempt to besiege David. Hearing of the news, David had Abiathar (the priest) enquire of the Lord and learned that the town would betray him to Saul, he and his men made a narrow escape (vv6-13).

The place is mentioned again as the home of two men ("Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah" and "Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah") who were involved in the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah (Neh 3:17 & 18).

2) The name of person, "Keilah the Garmite," in the Chronicler's list of Judah's descendents (1 Chron 4:19). Nothing is known about him.