I Samuel

The Philistines mustered all their forces at Aphek, while Israel was encamping at the spring in Jezreel.

The Philistine lords came marching, each with his units of hundreds and of thousands; and David and his men came marching last, with Achish.

The Philistine officers asked, “Who are those Hebrews?” “Why, that’s David, the servant of King Saul of Israel,” Achish answered the Philistine officers. “He has been with me for a year or more,afor a year or more Meaning of phrase uncertain. and I have found no fault in him from the day he defected until now.”

But the Philistine officers were angry with him; and the Philistine officers said to him, “Send the man back; let him go back to the place you assigned him. He shall not march down with us to the battle, or else he may become our adversary in battle. For with what could that fellow appease his master if not with the heads of those involved?bthe heads of those involved A euphemism for “our heads.”

Remember, he is the David of whom they sang as they danced:Saul has slain his thousands;David, his tens of thousands.”

Achish summoned David and said to him, “As GOD lives, you have been honest, and I would like to have you servecserve Lit. “go out and come in.” in my forces; for I have found no fault with you from the day you joined me until now. But you are not acceptable to the other lords.

So go back in peace, and do nothing to displease the Philistine lords.”

David, however, said to Achish, “But what have I done, what fault have you found in your servant from the day I appeared before you to this day, that I should not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”

Achish replied to David, “I know; you are as acceptable to me as an angel of God. But the Philistine officers have decided that you must not march out with us to the battle.

So rise early in the morning, you and your lord’s servants who came with you—rise early in the morning,drise early in the morning Meaning of parts of verse uncertain. Septuagint reads “and go to the place that I have assigned you; and harbor no evil thought in your heart, for you are acceptable to me.” and leave as soon as it is light.”

Accordingly, David and his men rose early in the morning to leave, to return to the land of the Philistines, while the Philistines marched up to Jezreel.