29:1 The Philistines gathered all their troops1 to Aphek. Now Israel was encamped at the spring that is in Jezreel. 29:2 When the leaders of the Philistines were passing in review2 by hundreds and by thousands, David and his men were passing in review in the rear with Achish.
29:3 The leaders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish said to the leaders of the Philistines, “Isn’t this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me for quite some time?3 I have found no fault with him from the day of his defection until the present time.”
29:4 But the leaders of the Philistines became angry with him and said4 to him, “Send the man back, and let him return to the place that you assigned him. Don’t let him go down with us into the battle lest he become our adversary in the battle. How else could he make himself pleasing to his lord than with the heads of these men?5 29:5 Isn’t this David, of whom they sang in dances,
29:6 So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you are an upright man, and I am amenable to6 your serving7 with me in the army.8 I have found no fault with you from the day that you first came to me until the present time. But in the opinion of the leaders you are not reliable. 29:7 So turn and go in peace. You must not do anything bad in the opinion of the leaders of the Philistines.”
29:8 But David said to Achish, “What have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day that I first was in your presence until the present time, that I shouldn’t go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?” 29:9 Achish replied to David, “I know that in my opinion you are as reliable as the angel of God. However, the leaders of the Philistines have said, ‘Don’t let him go up with us in the battle.’ 29:10 So get up early in the morning along with the servants of your lord who have come with you.9 Having gotten up early in the morning, as soon as you have light, go.”
29:11 So David along with his men got up early to go in the morning10 and return to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.