1 Samuel 23 David frees Queila

 1 Samuel 23

David frees Queila

1 And it was announced to David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fought against Keilah, and plunder the threshing floors.

2 And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go, and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said to David, Go and strike the Philistines, and deliver Keilah.

3 But David's men said to him, “Behold, we fear here in Judah, let alone going to Keila against the Philistine squads.

4 Then David consulted the Lord again, and the Lord answered him, and said, Arise, go down to Keilah, because I give you the Philistines in your hand.

5 Then David went with his men to Queila, and fought against the Philistines, and led the cattle, and did great damage among them: and David delivered the inhabitants of Queila.

6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Achimelech, fled to David the Keilah, he went down with the ephod in his hand.

7 And it was announced to Saul that David was coming to Keilah, and Saul said, God has put him in my hands, for he is closed, entering a city of doors and bars.

8 Then Saul sent for all the people to go to war, to come down to Keilah, to surround David and his men.

9 When David knew that Saul was plotting this evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring the ephod here.

10 And David said, O Lord, God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city because of me.

11 Will the citizens of Queila hand me over to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Ah! Lord God of Israel! make it known to your servant. And the Lord said, He will come down.

12 And David said, Would the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul? And the Lord said, They would deliver.

13 Then David arose with his men, about six hundred, and went out of Keilah, and went where they could: and when it was announced to Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, he ceased to go out against him.