1 Samuel 29

Philistines Reject David

¹The 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. ^e From the day he defected until today, I’ve found no fault with him.” ^f

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. ^g He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the battle. ^h 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? ” ⁱ

⁶So Achish summoned David and told him, “As the Lord lives, you are an honorable man. I think it is good ^j to have you fighting ^k in this unit with me, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until today. ^l 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? ” ^m 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. ⁿ But the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’ ^{o 10}So get up early in the morning, you and your masters’ servants who came with you. ^p,^q 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.