The king of Philistia sent David back home

1The Philistia army gathered at Aphek Valley, which is near Shunem. The Israelis set up their tents at Jezreel city, which was in the same valley.

2The kings of Philistia divided their men into groups; some groups had 100 soldiers and some groups had 1,000 soldiers. David and his men were marching behind, with King Achish.

3But the Philistia commanders asked, “What are these Hebrews doing here, marching with us to battle?” Achish replied, “Their leader is David. He previously worked for King Saul of Israel, but now he has been living near me for more than a year. During all the time since he left Saul, I have not seen/found that he has any faults.”

4But the Philistia army commanders were angry with Achish for allowing David’s army to be going with them. They said to him, “Send David and his men back to the city that you gave to him! We do not want him to go with us into the battle. If he goes with us, we will have an enemy in our own midst! He would please King Saul by killing our own soldiers [RHQ]!

5Have you forgotten that David is the one about whom the Israelis dance and sing, saying, ‘Saul has killed 1000 of our enemies, but David has killed 10,000 of them!’?”

6So Achish summoned David, and said to him, “Just as surely as Yahweh lives, you have been loyal to me. I would like very much for you to fight along with my army. Since the day that you came to me, I have not found/seen that you have any faults. But the other Philistia rulers do not trust you.

7So all of you go back home, and I hope/desire that things will go well for you. I do not want you(sg) to do anything that the other rulers of Philistia will not be pleased with.”

8David replied, “What wrong have I done? Since the day that I first came to you until today, have I done anything that you think is evil? Your majesty, why will you not allow me to go and fight against your enemies?”

9Achish replied, “I know that you are as just as good as an angel from God. But the commanders of my army have said, ‘We will not allow David and his men to go with us into the battle.’

10So early tomorrow morning you and your men must leave. Get up as soon as it is light and leave.”

11So David and his men got up early the following morning and returned to the area where the Philistia people lived. And the Philistia army went up to Jezreel.