Dual Panel1The Philistines mustered their entire army at Aphek; the Israelites encamped at En-harod in Jezreel.
2While the Philistine lords were advancing with their troops in units of a hundred and a thousand, David and his men were in the rear of the column with Achish.
3The Philistine commanders asked, “What are those Hebrews doing here?” Achish answered, “This is David, the servant of King Saul of Israel who has been with me now for a year or more. Ever since he came over to me I have had no fault to find with him.”
4The commanders were indignant and said, “Send the man back to the place you allotted to him. He must not fight side by side with us, for he may turn traitor in the battle. What better way to buy his master's favour, than at the price of our lives?
5This is that David of whom they sang, as they danced: ‘Saul struck down thousands, but David tens of thousands.’”
6Achish summoned David and said to him, “As the LORD lives, you are an upright man and your service on my campaigns has well satisfied me. I have had no fault to find with you ever since you joined me, but the lords are not willing to accept you.
7Now go home in peace, and you will then be doing nothing that they can regard as wrong.”
8David protested, “What have I done, or what fault have you found in me from the day I first entered your service till now, that I should not come and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
9Achish answered, “I agree that you have been as true to me as an angel of God, but the Philistine commanders insist that you are not to fight alongside them.
10Now rise early tomorrow with those of your lord's subjects who have followed you, and go to the town which I allotted to you; harbour no resentment, for I am well satisfied with you. Be up early and start as soon as it is light.”
11So in the morning David and his men made an early start to go back to the land of the Philistines, while the Philistines went on to Jezreel.