1 Samuel 23

Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors.

They urgently informed David, "Look, the Philistines are attacking Keilah, stealing from their grain fields."

Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.

David, filled with uncertainty, asked God, "Should I fight these Philistines?" God, with a firm voice, replied to David, "Yes, go. Defeat the Philistines and rescue Keilah."

And David’s men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?

David's men, trembling with fear, voiced their concerns to him, "We're terrified here in Judah. Imagine our fear if we face the Philistine armies in Keilah!"

Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

Once more, David sought guidance from the Lord. The Lord responded, "Get up, head to Keilah. I promise, the Philistines will be defeated by you."

So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.

David and his men bravely marched into Keilah, their hearts pounding with courage. They clashed with the Philistines, their swords singing a song of victory. They liberated the cattle, their eyes gleaming with triumph. The Philistines fell in great numbers, their defeat echoing through the land. And so, David, with his unwavering spirit, became the savior of Keilah.

And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.

When Abiathar, Ahimelech's son, sought refuge with David in Keilah, he arrived clutching an ephod, his heart pounding with fear and hope.

And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars.

News reached Saul that David had arrived in Keilah. With a triumphant smile, Saul declared, "God has handed him over to me. He's trapped himself in a town with gates and bars."

And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.

Saul rallied everyone, his voice filled with determination, to march into battle. Their destination was Keilah, their mission - to corner David and his loyal men.

And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.

David sensed Saul's hidden ill intentions towards him. He turned to Abiathar, the priest, and urgently requested, "Please, bring me the ephod."

Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake.

David cried out, "O LORD, God of Israel, I've heard that Saul is coming to Keilah to ruin the city because of me."

Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down.

Will the people of Keilah betray me? Will Saul, as I've heard, really come for me? Please, God of Israel, I beg you, tell me. And God confirmed, Yes, he will come.

Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up.

David asked anxiously, "Will the people of Keilah betray me and my men to Saul?" God replied solemnly, "Yes, they will betray you."

Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.

David and his band of six hundred men, filled with determination, left Keilah, seeking refuge wherever they could find. When Saul heard that David had slipped away from Keilah, he held back, his pursuit halted.

And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

David found refuge in the wilderness, hiding in its rugged mountains and fortified caves. Saul hunted him relentlessly, but God, in His divine protection, never allowed Saul to capture him.

And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.

David realized Saul was hunting him, and he was hiding in the wild woods of Ziph, filled with fear and uncertainty.

And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

Jonathan, Saul's son, sought out David in the forest. He offered him encouragement and reassured him of God's support.

And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

He reassured him, "Don't be afraid. My father Saul won't find you. You're destined to be Israel's king, and I'll stand by your side. Even Saul knows this."

And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

In the presence of God, David and Jonathan made a sacred promise to each other. David stayed in the forest while Jonathan returned home.

Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?

The Ziphites approached Saul in Gibeah, anxiously revealing, "Isn't David hiding among us in the forest's fortified places, on Hachilah's hill, south of Jeshimon?"

Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.

Dear king, follow your heart's deepest desire and join us. We promise to deliver him into your hands.

And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.

Saul expressed, "May God bless you for showing me such kindness."

Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.

Please, I urge you, get ready and find out where he usually stays and who has seen him there. I've heard he's very cunning.

See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.

Be aware and learn all the hidden spots where he hides, then return to me with surety. I will accompany you. If he is in the land, I promise to seek him out among the many in Judah.

And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon.

They got up and headed towards Ziph, ahead of Saul. Meanwhile, David and his crew found themselves in the barren wilderness of Maon, south of the desolate Jeshimon.

Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David; wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.

Saul and his men set out to find David. When David heard this, he fled to the safety of a rock in the barren wilderness of Maon. Upon hearing of David's location, Saul relentlessly chased him through the desolate expanse of Maon.

And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them.

Saul pursued relentlessly on one side of the mountain, while David and his men fled on the other. Fear gripped David as he hurried to escape Saul's encircling forces, who were closing in to capture them.

But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

A messenger rushed to Saul, breathless, "Quickly, come! The Philistines are attacking our land!"

Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth.

Overwhelmed with frustration, Saul ceased his relentless chase after David, turning his attention to battle the Philistines instead. Hence, they named that place Selahammahlekoth.

And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.

David left that place, seeking refuge in the fortified caves of Engedi.