place name and male name. 1. City in the territory of the tribe of Judah, Jos l5, 44. On one occasion when it was attacked by the Philistines, David consulted Yahweh if he could go and beat them, to which He answered yes. David defended Q. with his men and won the battle, 1 S 23, 1-5.
Saul in turn pursued David, and learned that he was in Q.
He believed that God had finally put him in his hands because the city was becoming a prison for David and his three hundred men; because the city had gates and locks. David consulted Yahweh if the inhabitants would hand Saul over to him and, answering him again in the affirmative, he left the city, hid in the Zif desert, where Saul could not find him, 1 S 23, 14. 2. Garmita son of Naján, 1 Chr 4, 19.
Digital Bible Dictionary, Grupo C Service & Design Ltda., Colombia, 2003
Source: Digital Bible Dictionary
1. A city in the foothills of Judah (Jos 15:44) threatened by the Philistines, but rescued by David (1Sa 23:1-13).
2. A man from Judah, a descendant of Caleb, son of Jephunneh (1Ch 4:19).
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
Fortified city of the tribe of Judah located in the Shephelah. (Jos 15:20, 33, 44; 1Sa 23:7) Keila may have been founded or ruled at one time by some Calebite. (1Ch 4:15, 19) It is usually associated with Khirbet Qila (Qeila), located on a hill about 14 km NW. from Hebron. In the outskirts of this place today grain is grown, just like in the ancient region of Queilá. (Compare 1Sa 23:1.)
When King Saul outlawed David, David had the opportunity to save Keilah from falling into the hands of the Philistines. Later, however, both he and his men had to flee the city to prevent the landowners of Keilah from handing them over to Saul’s army. (1Sa 23:5, 8-13.)
The city was inhabited again after the Babylonian exile. By the time of Nehemiah, during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, the city was a district divided into two halves, each with a “prince.” (Ne 3:17, 18)
Source: Dictionary of the Bible