1 The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. 2 The Philistine rulers marched past with their troops in hundreds and thousands, while David and his men marched at the rear with Achish. 3 The Philistine commanders asked, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” Achish said to the Philistine commanders, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days or these years? I have found no fault in him from the day he came over to me until today.”

4 But the Philistine commanders were angry with him and said, “Send the man back to the place you assigned him. He must not go down into battle with us, or he may become our adversary in battle. How could he regain his master’s favor? Would it not be with the heads of these men? 5 Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

6 So Achish called David and said to him, “As the LORD lives, you have been upright, and I am pleased to have you go out and come in with me in the army. I have found no evil in you from the day you came to me until today. But the rulers do not favor you. 7 Now go back and leave in peace, so that you do not displease the Philistine rulers.”

8 David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I came before you until today, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” 9 Achish answered David, “I know. In my eyes you are as good as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up into battle with us.’ 10 So rise early in the morning, you and your master’s servants who came with you. Rise early in the morning and leave as soon as it is light.” 11 David and his men rose early in the morning to leave and return to the land of the Philistines. The Philistines went up to Jezreel.