Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. He said,“ God has handed him over to me. David has trapped himself by entering a town that has gates with metal bars.”So Saul brought together all his soldiers to go to battle. He ordered them to go down to Keilah. He told them to surround David and his men. He told them to get ready to attack them.David learned that Saul was planning to attack him. So he said to Abiathar the priest,“ Bring the linen apron.”Then David said,“ Lord, you are the God of Israel. I know for sure that Saul plans to come to Keilah. He plans to destroy the town because of me.Will the citizens of Keilah hand me over to him? Will Saul come down here, as I’ve heard he would? Lord, you are the God of Israel. Please answer me.” The Lord said,“ He will come down.”Again David asked,“ Will the citizens of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?” And the Lord said,“ They will.”So David and his men left Keilah. The total number of them was about 600. They kept moving from place to place. Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah. So he didn’t go there.
Today I have made you like a city that has a high wall around it. I have made you like an iron pillar and a bronze wall. Now you can stand up against the whole land. You can stand against the kings and officials of Judah. You can stand against its priests and its people.
But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give him praise. God brought you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
