David and the Philistines
1And Davidsaidin his heart,I shall now perishonedayby the handof Saul:[there is] nothing betterfor me than thatI should speedilyescapeinto the landof the Philistines;and Saulshall despairof me, to seekme any more in any coastof Israel:so shall I escapeout of his hand.2And Davidarose,and he passed overwith the sixhundredmenthat [were] with him unto Achish,the sonof Maoch,kingof Gath.3And Daviddweltwith Achishat Gath,he and his men,every manwith his household,[even] Davidwith his twowives,Ahinoamthe Jezreelitess,and Abigailthe Carmelitess,Nabal'swife.4And it was toldSaulthat Davidwas fledto Gath:and he soughtno more again{08675;03254:08686} for him.
5And Davidsaidunto Achish,If I have now foundgracein thine eyes,let them giveme a placein sometownin the country,that I may dwellthere: for why should thy servantdwellin the royalcitywith thee?6Then Achishgavehim Ziklagthat day:wherefore Ziklagpertaineth unto the kingsof Judahunto this day.7And the timethat Daviddweltin the countryof the Philistineswas a full yearand fourmonths.
8And Davidand his menwent up,and invadedthe Geshurites,and the Gezrites,and the Amalekites:for those[nations were] of oldthe inhabitantsof the land,as thou goestto Shur,even unto the landof Egypt.9And Davidsmotethe land,and left neither mannor womanalive,and took awaythe sheep,and the oxen,and the asses,and the camels,and the apparel,and returned,and cameto Achish.10And Achishsaid,Whitherhave ye made a roadto day?And Davidsaid,Against the southof Judah,and against the southof the Jerahmeelites,and against the southof the Kenites.11And Davidsavedneither mannor womanalive,to bring[tidings] to Gath,saying,Lest they should tellon us, saying,So didDavid,and so [will be] his mannerall the whilehe dwellethin the countryof the Philistines.12And AchishbelievedDavid,saying,He hath made his peopleIsraelutterlyto abhorhim; therefore he shall be my servantfor ever.
