Then Davidsaid,"O LORDGodof Israel,Your servanthas heardfor certainthat Saulis seekingto cometo Keilahto destroythe cityon my account.
"Supposethereare fiftyrighteouswithinthe city;will You indeedsweep[it] awayand not sparethe placefor the sakeof the fiftyrighteouswhoare in it?
But he disdainedto layhandson Mordecaialone,for they had toldhim [who] the peopleof Mordecai[were]; therefore Hamansoughtto destroyallthe Jews,the peopleof Mordecai,who[were] throughout the wholekingdomof Ahasuerus.
[Like] a roaringlionand a rushingbearIs a wickedrulerovera poorpeople.
And he struckNobthe cityof the priestswith the edgeof the sword,bothmenand women,childrenand infants;also oxen,donkeys,and sheep[he struck] with the edgeof the sword.
"Will the menof Keilahsurrenderme into his hand?Will Saulcomedownjustas Your servanthas heard?O LORDGodof Israel,I pray,tellYour servant."And the LORDsaid,"He will comedown."
So Saulsummonedallthe peoplefor war,to godownto Keilahto besiegeDavidand his men.
Now Davidknewthat Saulwas plottingevilagainsthim; so he saidto Abiatharthe priest,"Bringthe ephodhere."