And it happened after this, David asked of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah? And Jehovah said to him, Go up. And David said, Where shall I go up? And He said, To Hebron.
And David asked of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand? And Jehovah said to David, Go up, for giving I will give the Philistines into your hand.
And David again inquired of God. And God spoke to him, You shall not go up after them; turn away from them and come to them across from the weeping trees.
And you shall do to Ai and to its king as you have done to Jericho and its king. Only, its spoil and its cattle you shall take for yourselves. Set yourself an ambush for the city behind it.
Have I today begun to ask of God for him? Far be it from me! Do not let the king lay anything against his servant, against any of my father’s house, for your servant has known nothing of this, great or small.
And David asked of Jehovah, saying, Shall I go? And shall I strike against these Philistines? And Jehovah said to David, Go, and you shall strike the Philistines and save Keilah.