{David separated the people into three groups.} And then David sent the people out. Joab led one third of the people. Joab’s brother, Abishai son of Zeruiah led another third of the people. And Ittai from Gath led the last third of the people.
So Joab left Jerusalem to chase after Sheba son of Bicri. Joab brought his own men and the Kerethites and Pelethites [116] and the other soldiers with him.
So David would not move the Lord’s Holy Box into the City of David. [42] David put the Holy Box at the house of Obed Edom from Gath. David carried the Holy Box off the road to the house of Obed Edom of Gath. [43]
Benaiah was responsible for leading the Kerethite and Pelethite people. {\cf2\super [204]} Benaiah was Jehoiada’s son. And David’s sons were important officials. They served at King David’s side.
So David and his men left Keilah. There were about 600 men who went with David. David and his men kept moving from place to place. Saul learned that David escaped from Keilah. So Saul did not go to that city.
Then David said to his men, “Put on your swords!” So David and his men put on their swords. About 400 men went with David. And 200 men stayed with the supplies.
David, his men, and their families lived in Gath with Achish. David had his two wives with him. They were Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel. Abigail was the widow [205] of Nabal.
On the third day, David and his men arrived at Ziklag. They saw that the Amalekites had attacked Ziklag. The Amalekites invaded the Negev area. They attacked Ziklag and burned the city.
We had attacked the Negev area where the Kerethites [216] live. We attacked the land of Judah, and in the Negev area where Caleb’s people live. We also burned Ziklag.”