Deliverance at Keilah

23 It was reported to David, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah^(A) and raiding the threshing floors.”

² So David inquired of the Lord:^(B) “Should I launch an attack against these Philistines?”

The Lord answered David, “Launch an attack against the Philistines and rescue Keilah.”

³ But David’s men said to him, “Look, we’re afraid here in Judah; how much more if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”

⁴ Once again, David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go at once to Keilah, for I will hand the Philistines over to you.”^{(C) 5} Then David and his men went to Keilah, fought against the Philistines, drove their livestock away, and inflicted heavy losses on them. So David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah.

¹⁵ Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”