Keilah

Citadel, a city in the lowlands of Judah (Josh. 15:44). David rescued it from the attack of the Philistines (1 Sam. 23:1-8); but the inhabitants proving unfaithful to him, in that they sought to deliver him up to Saul (13), he and his men “departed from Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go.” They fled to the hill Hareth, about 3 miles to the east, and thence through Hebron to Ziph (q.v.). “And David was in the wilderness of Ziph, in a wood” (1 Sam. 23:15). Here Jonathan sought him out, “and strengthened his hand in God.” This was the last interview between David and Jonathan (23:16-18). It is the modern Khurbet Kila. Others identify it with Khuweilfeh, between Beit Jibrin (Eleutheropolis) and Beersheba, mentioned in the Amarna tablets.

(fortress), a city of the Shefelah, or lowland district of Judah. (Joshua 15:44) Its main interest consists in its connection with David. (1 Samuel 23:7-13) It is represented by Kila, a site with ruins, on the lower road from Beit Jibria to Hebron.

KEI'LAH (fortress), a city in the lowland of Judah, near the Philistine frontier. Josh 15:44. When captured and plundered by a Philistine invasion David came to its rescue, but the inhabitants treacherously plotted with Saul for his betrayal. 1 Sam 23:1-13. After the Captivity its rulers aided in restoring the walls of Jerusalem. Neh 3:17-18; now Kila, 7 miles east of Beit Jibrin.

KEI'LAH (fortress), a city in the lowland of Judah, near the Philistine frontier. Josh 15:44. When captured and plundered by a Philistine invasion David came to its rescue, but the inhabitants treacherously plotted with Saul for his betrayal. 1 Sam 23:1-13. After the Captivity its rulers aided in restoring the walls of Jerusalem. Neh 3:17-18; now Kila, 7 miles east of Beit Jibrin.