1 Samuel 23:1–12

David Defeats the Philistines at Keilah

23Now they told David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting in Keilah and they are raiding the threshing floors.” ²So David inquired of Yahweh, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And Yahweh said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save^a Keilah.” ³But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more^b if we go to Keilah to the battle lines of the Philistines?” ⁴So David again inquired of Yahweh, and Yahweh answered him and said, “Get up, go down to Keilah, for I am giving the Philistines into your hand.” ⁵So David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines. They drove off their livestock and dealt them a heavy blow.^c So David saved^d the inhabitants of Keilah.

David Flees from Saul at Keilah

⁶Now when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled^e to David at Keilah, he went down with an ephod in his hand. ⁷When it was told to Saul that David had gone to Keilah, Saul said, “God has given him^f into my hand, because he has shut himself in by going into a city with two barred gates.^{g 8}Saul then summoned all of the army for the battle, to go down to Keilah to lay a siege against David and his men. ⁹When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” ¹⁰And David said, “O Yahweh, God of Israel, your servant has clearly heard that Saul is seeking to come to Keilah to destroy the city because of me. ¹¹Will the rulers of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? O Yahweh, God of Israel, please tell your servant!” And Yahweh said, “He will come down.” ¹²Then David said, “Will the rulers of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And Yahweh said, “They will deliver you.”