2 And the Phi·lisʹtines proceeded to draw up in formation+ to meet Israel, and the battle went badly,* so that Israel was defeated before the Phi·lisʹtines,+ who went striking down about four thousand men* in closed battle line in the field.

3 At this the men of David said to him: “Look! We are afraid while here in Judah,+ and how much more so in case we should go to Keiʹlah against the battle lines of the Phi·lisʹtines!”+