23David was told, “The Philistines are fighting against the town of Keilah. They are stealing grain from the threshing floors.” ²So he asked the Lord for advice. He said, “Should I go and attack those Philistines?”

The Lord answered him, “Go and attack them. Save Keilah.”

³But David’s men said to him, “We’re afraid here in Judah. Suppose we go to Keilah and fight against the Philistine army. Then we’ll be even more afraid.”

⁴Once again David asked the Lord what he should do.

The Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah. I am going to hand the Philistines over to you.”

⁵So David and his men went to Keilah. They fought against the Philistines and carried off their livestock. David wounded and killed large numbers of Philistines. And he saved the people of Keilah.

⁶Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, had brought the linen apron down with him from Nob. He did it when he ran away to David at Keilah.

Saul Chases David

⁷Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. He said, “God has handed him over to me. David has trapped himself by entering a town that has gates and heavy metal bars.” ⁸So Saul brought together all of his soldiers to go to battle. He ordered them to go down to Keilah. He told them to surround David and his men. He told them to get ready to attack them.

⁹David learned that Saul was planning to attack him. So he said to the priest Abiathar, “Bring the linen apron.” ¹⁰Then David said, “Lord, you are the God of Israel. I know for sure that Saul plans to come to Keilah. He plans to destroy the town because of me. ¹¹Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down here, as I’ve heard he would? Lord, you are the God of Israel. Please answer me.”

The Lord said, “He will come down.”

¹²Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?”

And the Lord said, “They will.”

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