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When Abiathar, son of Ahimelech, came to David at Keilah, he had fled carrying a sacred priestly garment. When Saul heard that David had gone to rescue Keilah, he was hopeful.

Saul: Surely the True God has sent David into my trap because he has entered into a city with gates and bars.

So Saul summoned the people to go down to Keilah and besiege David and his men. When David heard that Saul was coming to attack him, he asked Abiathar to bring him the priestly vest so that he could ask the True God for direction.

David: 10 Eternal God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul the king is coming to Keilah to destroy the city since I am here. 11 Will the leaders of Keilah hand me over to save their lives? Is what I heard true? Is Saul really coming? I beg of You, please tell Your servant.

Eternal One: He will come.

David: 12 Then will the men of Keilah hand me over along with my men to Saul when he arrives?

Eternal One: They will do this.

13 So David and his followers, who now numbered about 600, left Keilah going wherever they could. When Saul heard that David had left Keilah, he gave up the chase because the trail was now cold. 14 David hid out in secure places in the wilderness, in the hill country of the wilderness of Ziph in the land of the tribe of Judah. Every day, Saul sent out spies to find him and kill him, but the True God did not allow Saul to capture or kill David.

15 While David was in the wilderness of Ziph at a place called Horesh, he heard that Saul was looking for him.

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