1Sa 23 | EngLXX | STEP | And it was told David, saying, behold, the Philistines war in Keila, and they rob, theytrample on the threshing-floors.

‏ 1 Samuel 23

1 And it was told David, saying, behold, the Philistines war in Keila, and they rob, theytrample on the threshing-floors. 2 And David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and strike these Philistines? And theLord said, Go, and you shall strike these Philistines, and shall save Keila. 3 And the men of David said to him, Behold, we are afraid here in Judea; and how shall itbe if we go to Keila? Shall we go after the spoils of the Philistines? 4 And David enquired yet again of the Lord; and the Lord answered him, and said to him,Arise and go down to Keila, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hands. 5 So David and his men with him went to Keila, and fought with the Philistines; and theyfled from before him, and he carried off their cattle, and struck them with a great slaughter, and Davidrescued the inhabitants of Keila. 6 And it came to pass when Abiathar the son of Achimelech fled to David, that he went downwith David to Keila, having and ephod in his hand. 7 And it was told Saul that David was come to Keila: and Saul said, God has sold him intomy hands, for he is shut up, having entered into a city that has gates and bars. 8 And Saul charged all the people to go down to war to Keila, to besiege David and his men. 9 And David knew that Saul spoke openly of mischief against him: and David said to Abiatharthe priest, Bring the ephod of the Lord. 10 And David said, Lord God of Israel, your servant has indeed heard, that Saul seeks tocome against Keila to destroy the city on my account. 11 Willthe place be shut up? And now will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel,tell your servant. And the Lord said, It will be shut up. 13 And David arose, and the men with him, in number about four hundred, and they went forthfrom Keila, and went wherever they could go: and it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keila, andhe forbore to come. 14 And he lived in Maserem in the wilderness, in the narrowpasses; and lived in the wilderness in mount Ziph, in the dry country. And Saul sought himcontinually, but the Lord delivered him not into his hands. 15 And David perceived that Saul went forth to seek David; and David was in the dry mountainin the New Ziph. 16 And Jonathan son of Saul rose, and went to David to Caene, and strengthened his handsin the Lord. 17 And he said to him, Fear not, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you; andyou shall be king over Israel, and I shall be second to you; and Saul my father knows it. 18 So they both made a covenant before the Lord; and David lived in Caene, and Jonathanwent to his home. 19 And the Ziphites came up out of the dry country to Saul to the hill, saying, Behold,is not David hidden with us in Messara, in the narrows in Caene in the hill of Echela, which is on theright of Jessaemon? 20 And nowaccording to all the king's desire to come down, let him come down to us; they have shut himup into the hands of the king. 21 And Saul said to them, Blessedbe you⌃ of the Lord, for you⌃ have been grieved on my account. 22 Go, I pray you, and make preparations yet, and notice his place where his foot shallbe, quickly, in that place which you⌃ spoke of, lest by any means he should deal craftily. 23 Take notice, then, and learn, and I will go with you; and it shall come to pass thatif he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Juda. 24 And the Ziphites arose, and went before Saul: and David and his menwere in the wilderness of Maon, westward, to the right of Jessaemon. 25 And Saul and his men went to seek him: and they brought word to David, and he went downto the rock that was in the wilderness of Maon: and Saul heard, and followed after David to the wildernessof Maon. 26 And Saul and his men go on one side of the mountain, and David and his men are on theother side of the mountain: and David was hiding himself to escape from Saul: and Saul and his men encampedagainst David and his men, in order to take them. 27 And there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Haste you, and come here, for the Philistineshave invaded the land. 28 So Saul returned from following after David, and went to meet the Philistines: thereforethat place was called The divided Rock.