1 Samuel 23:1-14

CAB(i) 1 And it was told David, saying, behold, the Philistines war in Keilah, and they rob, and they trample on the threshing floors. 2 And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and strike these Philistines? And the Lord said, Go, and you shall strike these Philistines, and shall save Keilah. 3 And the men of David said to him, Behold, we are afraid here in Judea; and how shall it be if we go to Keilah? Shall we go after the spoils of the Philistines? 4 And David inquired yet again of the Lord; and the Lord answered him, and said to him, Arise and go down to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hands. 5 So David and his men with him went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines; and they fled from before him, and he carried off their cattle, and struck them with a great slaughter, and David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah. 6 And it came to pass when Abiathar the son of Abimelech fled to David, that he went down with David to Keilah, having and ephod in his hand. 7 And it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said, God has sold him into my hands, for he is shut up, having entered into a city that has gates and bars. 8 And Saul charged all the people to go down to war to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. 9 And David knew that Saul spoke openly of mischief against him. So David said to Abiathar the priest, Bring the ephod of the Lord. 10 And David said, O Lord God of Israel, Your servant has indeed heard, that Saul seeks to come against Keilah to destroy the city on my account. 11 Will the place be shut up? And now will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, tell Your servant. And the Lord said, It will be shut up. 12 (TEXT OMITTED) 13 And David arose, and the men with him, in number about four hundred, and they went forth from Keilah, and went wherever they could go. And it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, so he halted the expedition. 14 And he dwelt in Maserim in the wilderness, in the narrow passes; and dwelt in the wilderness in Mount Ziph, in the dry country. And Saul sought him continually, but the Lord delivered him not into his hands.