and David asked the Lord, ‘Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them? ’ The Lord replied to him, ‘Pursue them, for you will certainly overtake them and rescue the people.’
So David enquired of the Lord: ‘Should I launch an attack against these Philistines? ’ The Lord answered David, ‘Launch an attack against the Philistines and rescue Keilah.’
Then David enquired of the Lord: ‘Should I attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me? ’ The Lord replied to David, ‘Attack, for I will certainly hand the Philistines over to you.’
They went up, wept before the Lord until evening, and enquired of him, ‘Should we again attack our brothers the Benjaminites? ’ And the Lord answered, ‘Fight against them.’
He will stand before the priest Eleazar who will consult the Lord for him with the decision of the Urim. He and all the Israelites with him, even the entire community, will go out and come back in at his command.’
They set out, went to Bethel, and enquired of God. The Israelites asked, ‘Who is to go first to fight for us against the Benjaminites? ’ And the Lord answered, ‘Judah will be first.’
and Phinehas son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, was serving before it. The Israelites asked, ‘Should we again fight against our brothers the Benjaminites or should we stop? ’ The Lord answered, ‘Fight, because I will hand them over to you tomorrow.’
The enemy said: ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil. My desire will be gratified at their expense. I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.’
Nothing of theirs was missing from the youngest to the oldest, including the sons and daughters, and all the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David got everything back.