David Anointed King of Judah

2 After this David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” The Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “To which shall I go up?” He said, “To Hebron.”^(A)

³¹ in Hebron, all the places where David and his men had roamed.^(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.”^(A)

⁹ When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to the priest Abiathar, “Bring the ephod here.”^{(A) 10} David said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, your servant has heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city on my account. ¹¹ And now, will^[a] Saul come down as your servant has heard? O Lord, the God of Israel, I beseech you, tell your servant.” The Lord said, “He will come down.” ¹² Then David said, “Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?” The Lord said, “They will surrender you.”^(B)

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.”^(A)

³⁷ Thus says the Lord God: I will also let the house of Israel ask me to do this for them: to multiply their people like sheep.