David knew that Saul was devising mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring here the ephod.
Saul summoned soldiers to accompany him to Keilah (1 Samuel 23:7), but there is no mention that he prayed for divine guidance as David had done (1 Samuel 23:2; 1 Samuel 23:4). David prayed again and requested answers to two questions (1 Samuel 23:10-11). He opened and closed his prayer with an appeal to the "LORD God of Israel," the ultimate ruler of His people. He also described himself as the Lord’s "servant" twice. David voiced concern for his men (1 Samuel 23:12) as well as for himself (1 Samuel 23:11). God gave the answer to David’s second question first, and then He answered his first question.