Now it was told Saul that David had come to Keilah. And Saul said,“ God has given him into my hand, for he has shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.”And Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. And he said to Abiathar the priest,“ Bring the ephod here.”Then David said,“ O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has surely heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account.Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, please tell your servant.” And the Lord said,“ He will come down.”Then David said,“ Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” And the Lord said,“ They will surrender you.”Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah, and they went wherever they could go. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he gave up the expedition.
And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
