1 Samuel 29

1The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.

2As the rulers of the Philistines marched on by hundreds and by thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish.

3The Philistine commanders asked, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” Achish said to the Philistine commanders, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me for a year or more? From the day he deserted to me until today I have found no fault in him.”

4But the Philistine commanders were angry with him, and they said to him, “Send the man back to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle, or he will turn against us in the battle. How better could this fellow win back his master’s favor than with the heads of our men?

5Is this not the David they sang about as they danced: ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

6So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as Yahweh lives, you have been honest, and I would be glad to have you march out and in with me in the army. I have found nothing wrong in you from the day you came to me until today. But the rulers do not approve of you.

7So now turn back and go in peace, and do nothing to displease the rulers of the Philistines.”

8David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found against your servant from the day I entered your service until today, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”

9Achish answered David, “I know that you are as good in my eyes as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’

10So get up early in the morning, you and your master’s servants who came with you. Get up early, and leave as soon as it is light.”

11So David and his men got up early to leave in the morning and return to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.