1
Then they toldDavid, saying, Behold, the Philistinesfight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.
2
Therefore Davidenquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORDsaid unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and saveKeilah.
3
And David's mensaid unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?
4
Then Davidenquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORDanswered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
5
So David and his menwent to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a greatslaughter. So Davidsaved the inhabitants of Keilah.
6
And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelechfled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
7
And it was toldSaul that David was come to Keilah. And Saulsaid, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.
8
And Saulcalled all the peopletogether to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiegeDavid and his men.
9
And Davidknew that Saul secretly practisedmischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
10
Then saidDavid, O LORDGod of Israel, thy servant hath certainlyheard that Saulseeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.
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Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORDGod of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORDsaid, He will come down.
12
Then saidDavid, Will the men of Keilahdeliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORDsaid, They will deliver thee up.
13
Then David and his men, which were about sixhundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and wentwhithersoever they could go. And it was toldSaul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to goforth.
14
And Davidabode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saulsought him every day, but Goddelivered him not into his hand.
15
And Davidsaw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
16
And Jonathan Saul's sonarose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
17
And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my fatherknoweth.
18
And they twomade a covenantbefore the LORD: and Davidabode in the wood, and Jonathanwent to his house.
19
Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not Davidhide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?
20
Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.
21
And Saulsaid, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.
22Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth verysubtilly.
23See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
24
And they arose, and went to ZiphbeforeSaul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.
25Saul also and his menwent to seek him. And they toldDavid: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saulheard that, he pursuedafterDavid in the wilderness of Maon.
26
And Saulwent on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his mencompassedDavid and his men round about to take them.
27
But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.
28
Wherefore Saulreturned from pursuingafterDavid, and wentagainst the Philistines: therefore they called that placeSelahammahlekoth.
29
And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.