Keilah
Keilah is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Judea in modern-day Israel. Known today as Khirbet Qila. It appears across 15 verses in Scripture.
Biblical History
Keilah is one of the most vividly portrayed cities in the Old Testament, appearing prominently in the narrative of David's fugitive years. Located in the Shephelah (lowlands) of Judah, it first appears in Joshua 15:44 among Judah's allotted cities. Its most dramatic moment comes in 1 Samuel 23:1-13, when David learns that Philistines are raiding Keilah's threshing floors. After inquiring of the Lord through the priest Abiathar's ephod, David and his men attack the Philistines and deliver Keilah. However, when Saul learns of David's location and prepares to besiege the city, David again consults God and receives the devastating revelation that Keilah's citizens would surrender him to Saul despite his rescue of them (1 Samuel 23:11-12). David promptly departs with his six hundred men. This episode powerfully illustrates both David's reliance on divine guidance and the painful reality of human ingratitude. Keilah also appears in Nehemiah 3:17-18, where men from the district of Keilah help rebuild Jerusalem's walls after the exile, demonstrating the city's continued inhabitation into the Persian period.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Keilah is confidently identified with Khirbet Qila, located in the Shephelah approximately 13 kilometers northwest of Hebron. The site occupies a prominent hill with commanding views of the surrounding agricultural lowlands, consistent with its role as a fortified town guarding approaches to the Judean highlands. Archaeological surveys and limited excavations have revealed occupation from the Late Bronze Age through the Byzantine period. Iron Age pottery and architectural remains confirm habitation during David's time. The site is mentioned in the fourteenth-century BC Amarna Letters (as Qiltu), where its ruler writes to Pharaoh requesting military assistance, demonstrating its importance centuries before David. Remains of fortification walls are visible on the surface, and the surrounding terraced hillsides preserve ancient agricultural landscapes.
Verse Appearances (15)
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →