The Philistines Reject David 1 CPDV Then all the troops of the Philistines were gathered together at Aphek. But Israel also made camp, above the spring which is in Jezreel. BSB BSB: Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
2 CPDV And indeed, the princes of the Philistines advanced by hundreds and by thousands; but David and his men were in the rear with Achish. BSB BSB: As the Philistine leaders marched out with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish.
3 CPDV And the leaders of the Philistines said to Achish, “What do these Hebrews intend to do?” And Achish said to the leaders of the Philistines: “Could you be ignorant about David, who was the servant of Saul, the king of Israel, and who has been with me for many days, even years, and I have not found within him anything, from the day that he fled to me, even to this day?” BSB BSB: Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.”
4 CPDV Then the leaders of the Philistines became angry against him, and they said to him: “Let this man return, and let him settle in his place, which you appointed for him. But let him not descend with us to battle, lest he become an adversary to us when we begin to fight. For in what other way will he be able to please his lord, except with our heads? BSB BSB: But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men?
5 CPDV Is not this the David, about whom they were singing, while dancing, saying: ‘Saul struck down his thousands, but David his ten thousands?’ ” BSB BSB: Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
6 CPDV Therefore, Achish called David, and he said to him: “As the Lord lives, you are good and righteous in my sight, even in your departure and your return with me in the military camp. And I have not found anything evil in you, from the day that you came to me, even to this day. But you are not pleasing to the princes. BSB BSB: So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright, and it seems right in my sight that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you are not good in the sight of the leaders.
7 CPDV Therefore, return, and go in peace, so that you do not offend the eyes of the princes of the Philistines.” BSB BSB: Therefore turn back now and go in peace, so that you will not do anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.”
8 CPDV And David said to Achish, “But what have I done, or what have you found in me, your servant, from the day that I was in your sight to this day, so that I may not go out and fight against the enemies of my lord, the king?” BSB BSB: “But what have I done?” David replied. “What have you found against your servant, from the day I came to you until today, to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
9 CPDV And in response, Achish said to David: “I know that you are good in my sight, like an angel of God. But the leaders of the Philistines have said: ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ BSB BSB: Achish replied, “I know that you are as pleasing in my sight as an angel of God. But the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’
10 CPDV And so, rise up in the morning, you and the servants of your lord who came with you. And when you have risen up in the night, as it begins to be light, go forth.” BSB BSB: Now then, get up early in the morning, along with your master’s servants who came with you, and go as soon as it is light.”
11 CPDV And so David rose up in the night, he and his men, so that they might set out in the morning. And they returned to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines ascended to Jezreel. BSB BSB: So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.