1 Samuel 23:1-8 ▼

1 Someone told David, |Look, the Philistines are fighting at Keilah and are plundering the threshing floors.|

2 David inquired of the LORD: |Shall I go and strike down these Philistines?| The LORD told David, |Go strike down the Philistines and deliver Keilah.|

3 David's men told him, |Look, we're afraid here in Judah. How much then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine army?|

4 David inquired of the LORD again, and the LORD answered him: |Get up, go down to Keilah. I'll give the Philistines into your control.|

5 David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. He carried off their livestock and defeated them decisively, and so David delivered the inhabitants of Keilah.

6 Now when Ahimelech's son Abiathar had fled to David in Keilah, the ephod had come down with him.

7 It was reported to Saul that David had come to Keilah, and Saul said, |The LORD has delivered him into my hand because he has shut himself in by going into a town with double gates and bars.|

8 Saul summoned for battle all his forces to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.