¹⁸ Then the children of Israel arose and ^(A)went up to ^[a]the house of God to ^(B)inquire of God. They said, “Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin?”

The Lord said, ^(C)“Judah first!”

^23 (A)Then the children of Israel went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and asked counsel of the Lord, saying, “Shall I again draw near for battle against the children of my brother Benjamin?”

And the Lord said, “Go up against him.”

²⁶ Then all the children of Israel, that is, all the people, ^(A)went up and came to ^[a]the house of God and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.

⁹ When David knew that Saul plotted evil against him, ^(A)he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.”

^7 (A)Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And ^(B)Abiathar brought the ephod to David.