⁴ So David inquired of the Lord once more. And the Lord answered him and said, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for ^(A)I am going to hand the Philistines over to you.”

⁶ Now it came about, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech ^(A)fled to David at Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

⁹ But David knew that Saul was plotting evil against him; so he said to ^(A)Abiathar the priest, “^(B)Bring the ephod here.” ¹⁰ Then David said, “Lord God of Israel, Your servant has heard for certain that Saul is seeking to come to Keilah to destroy the city on my account. ¹¹ Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down just as Your servant has heard? Lord God of Israel, please, tell Your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will come down.” ¹² Then David said, “Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?” And the Lord said, “^(C)They will hand you over.”

¹⁹ So ^(A)David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You hand them over to me?” And ^(B)the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.”

²³ So ^(A)David inquired of the Lord, but He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the baka-shrubs.