The Philistines Mistrust David

29 Now ^(A)the Philistines gathered together all their armies to ^(B)Aphek, while the Israelites were camping by the spring which is in ^(C)Jezreel. ² And the lords of the Philistines were proceeding on by hundreds and by thousands, and ^(D)David and his men were proceeding on in the rear with Achish. ³ Then the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, ^(E)who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and ^(F)I have found no fault in him from the day he ^[a]deserted to me to this day?” ⁴ But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him, and the commanders of the Philistines said to him, “Make the man go back, that he may return ^(G)to his place where you have assigned him, and do not let him go down to battle with us, ^(H)or in the battle he may become an adversary to us. For with what could this man make himself acceptable to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of ^[b]these men? ⁵ Is this not David, ^(I)of whom they sing in the dances, saying,

⁶ Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the Lord lives, you have been upright, and ^(J)your going out and your coming in with me in the army are pleasing in my sight; ^(K)for I have not found evil in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, you are not pleasing in the sight of the lords. ⁷ Now therefore return and go in peace, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” ⁸ David said to Achish, “^(L)But what have I done? And what have you found in your servant from the day when I came before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” ⁹ But Achish replied to David, “I know that you are pleasing in my sight, ^(M)like an angel of God; nevertheless ^(N)the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go up with us to the battle.’ ¹⁰ Now then arise early in the morning ^(O)with the servants of your lord who have come with you, and as soon as you have arisen early in the morning and have light, depart.” ¹¹ So David arose early, he and his men, to depart in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.

A Song of Ascents, of David.

Think of Excellence

4 Therefore, my beloved brethren ^[a]whom I ^(A)long to see, my joy and crown, in this way ^(B)stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to ^[b](C)live in harmony in the Lord. ³ Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my ^(D)fellow workers, whose ^(E)names are in the book of life.

^4 (F)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. ^(G)The Lord is ^[c]near. ^6 (H)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by ^(I)prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And ^(J)the peace of God, which surpasses all ^[d]comprehension, will ^(K)guard your hearts and your ^(L)minds in ^(M)Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, ^(N)whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is ^[e]lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, ^[f]dwell on these things. ⁹ The things you have learned and received and heard and seen ^(O)in me, practice these things, and ^(P)the God of peace will be with you.

God’s Provisions

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last ^(Q)you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak ^[g]from want, for I have learned to be ^[h](R)content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going ^(S)hungry, both of having abundance and ^(T)suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things ^[i]through Him who ^(U)strengthens me. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, you have done well to ^(V)share with me in my affliction.

¹⁵ You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the ^[j](W)first preaching of the gospel, after I left ^(X)Macedonia, no church ^(Y)shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; ¹⁶ for even in ^(Z)Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. ^17 (AA)Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the ^[k]profit which increases to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am ^[l]amply supplied, having received from ^(AB)Epaphroditus ^[m]what you have sent, ^[n](AC)a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And ^(AD)my God will supply ^[o]all your needs according to His ^(AE)riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to ^(AF)our God and Father ^(AG)be the glory ^[p]forever and ever. Amen.

²¹ Greet every ^[q]saint in Christ Jesus. ^(AH)The brethren who are with me greet you. ^22 (AI)All the ^[r](AJ)saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

^23 (AK)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ ^(AL)be with your spirit.