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The Philistines Reject David

29 The entire Philistine army now mobilized at Aphek, and the Israelites camped at the spring in Jezreel. As the Philistine rulers were leading out their troops in groups of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched at the rear with King Achish. But the Philistine commanders demanded, “What are these Hebrews doing here?”

And Achish told them, “This is David, the servant of King Saul of Israel. He’s been with me for years, and I’ve never found a single fault in him from the day he arrived until today.”

But the Philistine commanders were angry. “Send him back to the town you’ve given him!” they demanded. “He can’t go into the battle with us. What if he turns against us in battle and becomes our adversary? Is there any better way for him to reconcile himself with his master than by handing our heads over to him? Isn’t this the same David about whom the women of Israel sing in their dances,

‘Saul has killed his thousands,
    and David his ten thousands’?”

So Achish finally summoned David and said to him, “I swear by the Lord that you have been a trustworthy ally. I think you should go with me into battle, for I’ve never found a single flaw in you from the day you arrived until today. But the other Philistine rulers won’t hear of it. Please don’t upset them, but go back quietly.”

“What have I done to deserve this treatment?” David demanded. “What have you ever found in your servant, that I can’t go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?”

But Achish insisted, “As far as I’m concerned, you’re as perfect as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders are afraid to have you with them in the battle. 10 Now get up early in the morning, and leave with your men as soon as it gets light.”

11 So David and his men headed back into the land of the Philistines, while the Philistine army went on to Jezreel.

Achish Sends David Back to Ziklag

29 The Philistines gathered(A) all their forces at Aphek,(B) and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.(C) As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear(D) with Achish. The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”

Achish replied, “Is this not David,(E) who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year,(F) and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.”

But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, “Send(G) the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn(H) against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master’s favor than by taking the heads of our own men? Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances:

“‘Saul has slain his thousands,
    and David his tens of thousands’?”(I)

So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day(J) you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers(K) don’t approve of you. Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.”

“But what have I done?” asked David. “What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can’t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”

Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel(L) of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders(M) have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ 10 Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave(N) in the morning as soon as it is light.”

11 So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

29 Филистимците, прочее, събраха всичките си войски в Афек; а израилтяните разположиха стана си при извора, който е в Езраел.

И филистимските началници заминаваха със стотините си и с хилядите си войници ; а Давид и мъжете му идеха отдире с Анхуса.

Тогава рекоха филистимските началници: Що търсят тука тия евреи? И Анхус каза на филистимските военачалници: Това не е ли Давид, слугата на Израилевия цар Саула, който е бил с мене през тия дни или години? и аз не съм намерил в него никаква грешка откакто е преминал откъм мене до днес.

Обаче, филистимските военачалници му се разгневиха, и филистимските военачалници му рекоха: Изпрати този човек и нека се върна на мястото, което си му определил и да не слиза с нас в битката, да не би в боя да ни стане противник: защото как би се примирил този с господаря си, ако не с главите на тия мъже?

Той не е ли Давид, за когото пееха ответно в хороигранията, като казваха: - Саул порази хилядите си, А Давид десетките си хиляди?

Тогава Анхус повика Давида, та му рече: В името на живия Господ, ти си бил честен, и излизането ти и влизането ти с мене във войската е угодно пред очите ми; защото не съм намерил зло в тебе от деня, когато си дошъл при мене до днес; обаче началниците не са добре разположени към тебе.

Сега, прочее, върни се та си иди с мир, да не би да причиниш незадоволство у филистимските началници и господаря си царя?

А Давид каза на Анхуса: Но що съм сторил? и що си намерил ти в слугата си откак съм пред тебе до днес, та да не мога да воювам против неприятелите на господаря си царя?

И Анхус в отговор каза на Давида: Зная, че си угоден пред очите ми, като Божия ангел; все пак, обаче, филистимските военачалници рекоха: Да не отива той с нас в битката.

10 Сега, прочее, стани утре рано със слугите на господаря си, които дойдоха с тебе; и като станете утре рано, щом се развидели, идете си.

11 И тъй, на утринта Давид и мъжете му станаха рано, за да си идат и да се върнат във филистимската земя. А филистимците отидоха в Езраел.