1 Samuel 23:2-13

2David asked the Lord, “Should I go and attack them?” “Yes, go and save Keilah,” the Lord told him.

3But David’s men said, “We’re afraid even here in Judah. We certainly don’t want to go to Keilah to fight the whole Philistine army!”

4So David asked the Lord again, and again the Lord replied, “Go down to Keilah, for I will help you conquer the Philistines.”

5So David and his men went to Keilah. They slaughtered the Philistines and took all their livestock and rescued the people of Keilah.

6Now when Abiathar son of Ahimelech fled to David at Keilah, he brought the ephod with him.

7Saul soon learned that David was at Keilah. “Good!” he exclaimed. “We’ve got him now! God has handed him over to me, for he has trapped himself in a walled town!”

8So Saul mobilized his entire army to march to Keilah and besiege David and his men.

9But David learned of Saul’s plan and told Abiathar the priest to bring the ephod and ask the Lord what he should do.

10Then David prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, I have heard that Saul is planning to come and destroy Keilah because I am here.

11Will the leaders of Keilah betray me to him? And will Saul actually come as I have heard? O Lord, God of Israel, please tell me.” And the Lord said, “He will come.”

12Again David asked, “Will the leaders of Keilah betray me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord replied, “Yes, they will betray you.”

13So David and his men—about 600 of them now—left Keilah and began roaming the countryside. Word soon reached Saul that David had escaped, so he didn’t go to Keilah after all.