After this, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from Philistine control.

Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah-- nine cities, with their villages;

Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,

David then stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul searched for him every day, but God did not hand David over to him.

Some Ziphites came up to Saul at Gibeah and said, "David is hiding among us in the strongholds in Horesh on the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon.

[For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Davidic Maskil. When the Ziphites went and said to Saul, "Is David not hiding among us?"] God, save me by Your name, and vindicate me by Your might!