David's men said to him, Behold, we are afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
      III. God appointed him once and again to go against the Philistines, and promised him success: Go, and smite the Philistines,1 Samuel 23:2; 1 Samuel 23:2. His men opposed it, 1 Samuel 23:3; 1 Samuel 23:3. No sooner did he begin to have soldiers of his own than he found it hard enough to manage them. They objected that they had enemies enough among their own countrymen, they needed not to make the Philistines their enemies. Their hearts failed them when they only apprehended themselves in danger from Saul's band of pursuers, much more when they came to engage the Philistine-armies. To satisfy them, therefore, he enquired of the Lord again, and now received, not only a full commission, which would warrant him to fight though he had no orders from Saul (Arise, go down to Keilah), but also a full assurance of victory: I will deliver the Philistines into thy hand,1 Samuel 23:4; 1 Samuel 23:4. This was enough to animate the greatest coward he had in his regiment.