1 Samuel 23:7-23

7When it was reported to Saul that David had gone to Keilah, he said, “God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself by entering a town with barred gates.”

8Then Saul summoned all the troops to go to war at Keilah and besiege David and his men.

9When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to the priest Abiathar, “Bring the ephod.”

10Then David said, “Lord God of Israel, your servant has reliable information that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the town because of me.

11Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down as your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, please tell your servant.” The Lord answered, “He will come down.”

12Then David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?” “They will,” the Lord responded.

13So David and his men, numbering about six hundred, left Keilah at once and moved from place to place. When it was reported to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he called off the expedition.

14David then stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand David over to him.

15David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in Horesh when he saw that Saul had come out to take his life.

16Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God,

17saying, “Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true.”

18Then the two of them made a covenant in the Lord’s presence. Afterward, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

19Some Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Isn’t it true that David is hiding among us in the strongholds in Horesh on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon?

20So now, whenever the king wants to come down, let him come down. As for us, we will be glad to hand him over to the king.”

21“May you be blessed by the Lord,” replied Saul, “for you have shown concern for me.

22Go and check again. Investigate where he goes and who has seen him there; they tell me he is extremely cunning.

23Investigate all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with accurate information, and I’ll go with you. If it turns out he really is in the region, I’ll search for him among all the clans of Judah.”