1 Samuel 29

PHILISTINES REJECT DAVID

29The Philistines^a brought all their military units together at Aphek^b while Israel was camped by the spring in Jezreel.^{c 2}As the Philistine leaders were passing in review with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men^d were passing in review behind them with Achish. ³Then the Philistine commanders asked, “What are these Hebrews doing here?”

Achish answered the Philistine commanders, “That is David, servant of King Saul of Israel. He has been with me a considerable period of time.^D From the day he defected until today, I’ve found no fault with him.”^e

⁴The Philistine commanders, however, were enraged with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him.^f He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the battle.^g What better way could he ingratiate himself with his master than with the heads of our men? ⁵Isn’t this the David they sing about during their dances:

Saul has killed his thousands,

but David his tens of thousands?”^h

⁶So Achish summoned David and told him, “As the Lord lives, you are an honorable man. I think it is good^A to have you fighting^B in this unit with me, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until today.ⁱ But the leaders don’t think you are reliable. ⁷Now go back quietly and you won’t be doing anything the Philistine leaders think is wrong.”

⁸“But what have I done?”^j David replied to Achish. “From the first day I entered your service until today, what have you found against your servant to keep me from going to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”

⁹Achish answered David, “I’m convinced that you are as reliable as an angel of God.^k But the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’^{l 10}So get up early in the morning, you and your masters’ servants who came with you.^Cm When you’ve all gotten up early, go as soon as it’s light.” ¹¹So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.