1 Samuel 23:1-5

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

David Saves the City of Keilah

23 Now they told David, “The Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors.”^{(A) 2} David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”^{(B) 3} But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” ⁴ Then David inquired of the Lord again. The Lord answered him, “Yes, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.”^{(C) 5} So David and his men went to Keilah, fought with the Philistines, brought away their livestock, and dealt them a heavy defeat. Thus David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah.