1And when they told David, “The Philistines are at Keilah, and are stealing grain from the threshing floors”, 2David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD told David, “Go, attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” 3But David's men said, “We are afraid even here in Judah; how much more, then, if we go against the armies of the Philistines at Keilah?” 4Then David again inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, “Go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” 5So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought the Philistines, inflicted them with a great slaughter, carried off their cattle; and saved the inhabitants of Keilah. 6And when Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, had fled to David at Keilah, he had brought an ephod with him.

7And Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. And Saul said, “God has delivered him into my hand; for he has trapped himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” 8And Saul called all his warriors together to go to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. 9And when David learned of Saul’s plot; he told Abiathar, the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” 10Then David said, “O LORD God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul plans to come to Keilah, to besiege the city to take me. Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? 11And will the men of Keilah turn me over to him? O LORD God of Israel, I beg You, tell Your servant.” And the LORD said, “Saul will come down.” 12Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the LORD said, “They will.” 13Then David and his men, about six hundred, left Keilah, and went from place to place, wherever they could go. And Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah; so he did not go there.

14And David stayed in strongholds in the wilderness, on a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not allow David to fall into his hands. 15And while he was at Horesh, in the desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul was coming to take his life. 16And Jonathan went to David at Horesh, to encourage him in God. 17And Jonathan said, “Fear not; for Saul shall not find you; and you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be second to you; as my father, Saul, knows.” 18And the two made a covenant before the LORD; and David remained in the forest at Horesh, and Jonathan returned home.

19Then the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding with us in strongholds in the forest, on the hills of Hachilah, south of Jeshimon? 20Now, O king, come down whenever it suits you, and we will hand David over to you.” 21And Saul said, “May you be blessed of the LORD; for your compassion for me. 22Go, and get more details as to where his haunt (hideout) is, and who has seen him there; for I understand that he is very crafty. 23So learn more of the places where he hides, and come back to me with the certainty, and I will go with you; and if he is in that land, I will find him among all the thousands of Judah.” 24And they returned to Ziph ahead of Saul; but David and his men had moved by then to the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon.

25Saul and his men went to find him. And when David was told about it, he went further into the wilderness of Maon to a rock, and stayed in the desert of Maon. And when Saul learned that, he went there in pursuit of David. 26And Saul went along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side of the mountain, as he hurried to get away; for Saul and his men were closing in to capture David and his men. 27But then a messenger came to tell Saul, “Come quickly; the Philistines have invaded the land.” 28So then Saul broke off his pursuit of David, and went to oppose the Philistines; therefore, they called that place “Sela-hammah-lekoth” (The rock of escapes).

29And David left there, and stayed in strongholds at En-gedi.