The Philistines Reject David
1Now the Philistinesgathered togetherall their armiesto Aphek:and the Israelitespitchedby a fountainwhich [is] in Jezreel.2And the lordsof the Philistinespassed onby hundreds,and by thousands:but Davidand his menpassed onin the rerewardwith Achish.3Then saidthe princesof the Philistines,What [do] these Hebrews[here]? And Achishsaidunto the princesof the Philistines,[Is] not this David,the servantof Saulthe kingof Israel,which hath been with me these days,or these years,and I have foundno faultin him sincehe fell[unto me] unto this day?4And the princesof the Philistineswere wrothwith him; and the princesof the Philistinessaidunto him, Makethis fellowreturn,that he may go againto his placewhich thou hast appointedhim, and let him not go downwith us to battle,lest in the battlehe be an adversaryto us: for wherewith should he reconcilehimself unto his master?[should it] not [be] with the headsof these men?
5[Is] not this David,of whom they sangone to another in dances,saying,Saulslewhis thousands,and Davidhis ten thousands?
6Then AchishcalledDavid,and saidunto him, Surely, [as] the LORDliveth,thou hast been upright,and thy going outand thy coming inwith me in the host[is] goodin my sight:for I have not foundevilin thee since the dayof thy comingunto me unto this day:nevertheless the lordsfavourthee not.7Wherefore now return,and goin peace,that thou displeasenot the lordsof the Philistines.8And Davidsaidunto Achish,But what have I done?and what hast thou foundin thy servantso long asI have been with theeunto this day,that I may not gofightagainst the enemiesof my lordthe king?9And Achishansweredand saidto David,I knowthat thou [art] goodin my sight,as an angelof God:notwithstanding the princesof the Philistineshave said,He shall not go upwith us to the battle.10Wherefore now rise up earlyin the morningwith thy master'sservantsthat are comewith thee: and as soon as ye be up earlyin the morning,and have light,depart.11So Davidand his menrose up earlyto departin the morning,to returninto the landof the Philistines.And the Philistineswent upto Jezreel.
