1 Samuel, Chapter 23:

advertising

Verses from 1 Samuel, Chapter 23 of the book of 1 Samuel in the Bible.

1 Samuel - Old Testament — 1 Samuel – Old Testament

David saves Queila

1. When they informed David that the Philistines were attacking the city of Keilah and plundering its crops,
2. he sought the Lord’s guidance: “Should I face the Philistines?” And the Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”
3. However, David's soldiers warned him: “We are already afraid here in Judah. What if we go and fight the Philistines in Keilah? The fear will only increase!”
4. David consulted the Lord again: “Get up,” said the Lord, “go to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hands.”
5. Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines and managed to rescue the cattle, causing a great defeat to the enemies and freeing the city.
6. Abiathar son of Ahimelech, who had taken the priestly vest with him when he fled to join David at Keilah, was there.

Saul pursues David

7. When Saul heard that David was in Keilah, he said, “God has delivered him into my hands, for he has trapped himself by entering a city with walls and gates.”
8. And Saul summoned all his army to march against Keilah, to surround David and his men.
9. But David, when he heard of Saul's plans, said to Abiathar, "Bring the priest's vest."
10. Then David prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, I have heard clearly that Saul is planning to come to Keilah to destroy it for my sake.
11. Will the people of Keilah hand me over to Saul? Will Saul really come, as your servant has heard? O Lord, God of Israel, answer me.” And the Lord said to him, “He will come.”
12. David asked again, “Will the people of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?” And the Lord replied: “They will deliver it.”
13. Then David and his six hundred men left Keilah and wandered aimlessly. When Saul learned that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up pursuing him.
14. David remained in the desert fortresses and on the hills of Ziph. Day after day, Saul looked for him, but God did not deliver him into Saul's hands.
15. When David was at Horeshah in the wilderness of Ziph, he heard that Saul had gone out to kill him.
16. Then Jonathan, Saul's son, came to David in Horeshah and encouraged him to find strength in God.
17. “Don't be afraid,” he said, “my father will not lay hands on you. You will be king of Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father knows this.”
18. And the two made a covenant before the Lord. Jonathan returned home, but David remained in Horesh.
19. Then some men from Ziph went and reported to Saul in Gibeah: “David is hiding among us, in the fortresses of Horeshah, on the hill of Hachilah, south of the wilderness of Jeshimon.
20. Now, O king, come whenever you want, and we will deliver him into your hands.”
21. Saul replied, “May the Lord bless you for having compassion on me.
22. Go make more preparations and find out exactly where David usually hides and who has seen him there. They say he is very cunning.
23. Discover all his hiding places and return with accurate information. Then I will go with you, and if he is in the area, I will search all the clans of Judah.”
24. And they returned to Ziph before Saul. David and his men were in the desert of Maon, in the Arabah, south of the desert of Jeshimon.
25. When Saul and his army set out to seek David, David was on the rock in the wilderness of Maon. When Saul heard this, he went into the wilderness of Maon to pursue him.
26. Saul went on one side of the mountain, while David and his men fled quickly on the other to escape Saul. But just as Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to capture them,
27. a messenger came to Saul and said, “Come quickly! The Philistines are attacking Israel.”
28. Then Saul stopped pursuing David and went to face the Philistines. Therefore, that place was called Shelah-Hamalecote.
29. And David left there and went to live in the fortresses of En-gedi.