King James Bible Dictionary

Citadel, a city in the lowlands of Judah (Joshua 15:44). David rescued it from the attack of the Philistines (1 Samuel 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 Samuel 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.

1. One of a group of nine cities in the southern part of Palestine allotted to Judah:

General references
Joshua 15:44

Philistines make a predatory excursion against, after harvest
1 Samuel 23:1

David rescues
1 Samuel 23:2-13

Rulers of, aid in restoring the wall of Jerusalem after the captivity
Nehemiah 3:17-18

2. A descendant of Caleb
1 Chronicles 4:19

(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.

apparently a descendant of the great Caleb. (1 Chronicles 4:19) There is no apparent connection with the town Keilah.