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. (1 Samuel 23:5)
Either the defeated Philistines were driven so far into their own territory that David could collect reparations for the damage done, or the cattle were the oxen the Philistines had brought to cart away the grain. How much of the booty David gave to Keilah, and how much he kept for his own men, we are not told. Several hundred men would need a large store of provisions.
Went to Keilah.
The consent of the men to follow the divine direction indicates that during the months of association, David had convinced those who were with him of their need first to determine the will of God, and then to go forward fearlessly, trusting in the opening providences. The same careful inquiry into the will of God concerning every act and attitude should mark the course of Christians today.
Keilah was a walled town (v. 7), but the unprepared inhabitants had no chance against the experienced soldiers of Philistia. Saul was many miles away, but David and his men were removed only a short distance. Action was immediate, and the surprised Philistines were routed.