Then they toldDavid, saying, Behold, the Philistinesfightagainst Keilah, and theyrobthe threshingfloors. Therefore Davidinquiredof the LORD, saying, Shall I goand smitethesePhilistines? And the LORDsaiduntoDavid, Go, and smitethe Philistines, and saveKeilah. And David's mensaiduntohim, Behold, webe afraidherein Judah: how muchmore then ifwe cometo Keilahagainstthe armiesof the Philistines? Then Davidinquiredof the LORDyetagain. And the LORDansweredhim and said, Arise, go downto Keilah; forIwill deliverthe Philistinesinto thine hand. So Davidand his menwentto Keilah, and foughtwith the Philistines, and brought awaytheir cattle, and smotethem with a greatslaughter. So Davidsavedthe inhabitantsof Keilah. And it came to pass, when Abiatharthe sonof AhimelechfledtoDavidto Keilah, that he came down with an ephodin his hand. And it was toldSaulthatDavidwas cometo Keilah. And Saulsaid, Godhath deliveredhim into mine hand; forhe is shut in, by enteringinto a townthat hath gatesand bars. And Saulcalledallthe peopletogether to war, to go downto Keilah, to besiegeDavidand his men. And DavidknewthatSaulsecretly practicedmischiefagainsthim; and he saidtoAbiatharthe priest, Bring hitherthe ephod. Then saidDavid, O LORDGodof Israel, thy servanthath certainly heardthatSaulseekethto cometoKeilah, to destroythe cityfor my sake. Will the menof Keilahdeliver me upinto his hand? will Saulcome down, asthy servanthath heard? O LORDGodof Israel, I beseech thee, tellthy servant. And the LORDsaid, He will come down. Then saidDavid, Will the menof Keilahdeliverme and my meninto the handof Saul? And the LORDsaid, They will deliver thee up. Then Davidand his men, which were about sixhundred, aroseand departedout of Keilah, and wentwhithersoeverthey could go. And it was toldSaulthatDavidwas escapedfrom Keilah; and he forboreto go forth. And Davidabodein the wildernessin strongholds, and remainedin a mountainin the wildernessof Ziph. And Saulsoughthim everyday, but Goddeliveredhim notinto his hand. And DavidsawthatSaulwas come outto seekhis life: and David was in the wildernessof Ziphin a wood. And JonathanSaul's sonarose, and wenttoDavidinto the wood, and strengthenedhis handin God. And he saiduntohim, Fearnot: forthe handof Saulmy fathershall notfindthee; and thoushalt be kingoverIsrael, and Ishall benextunto thee; and thatalsoSaulmy fatherknoweth. And they twomadea covenantbeforethe LORD: and Davidabodein the wood, and Jonathanwentto his house. Then came upthe ZiphitestoSaulto Gibeah, saying, Doth notDavidhide himselfwithus in strongholdsin the wood, in the hillof Hachilah, which is on the southof Jeshimon? Nowtherefore, O king, come downaccording to allthe desireof thy soulto come down; and our part shall be to deliverhim into the king's hand. And Saulsaid, Blessed be yeof the LORD; forye have compassiononme. Go, I pray you, prepareyet, and knowand seehis placewherehis hauntis, and whohath seenhim there: forit is toldme that hedealeth very subtlely. Seetherefore, and take knowledgeof allthe lurking placeswherehe hideth himself, and come ye againtome withthe certainty, and I will gowithyou: and it shall come to pass, ifhe bein the land, that I will search him outthroughout allthe thousandsof Judah. And they arose, and wentto ZiphbeforeSaul: but Davidand his men were in the wildernessof Maon, in the plainonthe southof Jeshimon. Saulalso and his menwentto seek him . And they toldDavid: wherefore he came downinto a rock, and abodein the wildernessof Maon. And when Saulheard that , he pursuedafterDavidin the wildernessof Maon. And Saulwenton this sideof the mountain, and Davidand his menon that sideof the mountain: and Davidmade hasteto get awayfor fear ofSaul; for Sauland his mencompassedDavidand his menround about to takethem. But there camea messengeruntoSaul, saying, Hastethee, and come; forthe Philistineshave invadedthe land. Wherefore Saulreturnedfrom pursuingafterDavid, and wentagainstthe Philistines: thereforethey calledthatplaceSela-hammahlekoth. And Davidwent upfrom thence, and dweltin strongholdsat En-gedi.