Just like David thought that Saul would come to destroy the whole town, the men of Keilah assumed the same. If they provided refuge to David and did not open the gates when Saul arrived, they expected that he would destroy their town (cf. 1 Samuel 22:6–23).1 From their standpoint, David got them into more trouble than what he saved them from (the Philistines sought only their grain).2 Nevertheless, it is the fear of Saul and not any animosity toward David that guided their actions.3
12 Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the LORD said, “They will surrender you.”