Philistines Discuss Whether to Take David to War Against Israel |
1 Samuel 29:1-11 The Book of 1 Samuel [in Smaller Chunks] |
Now, the Philistines gathered all their armies together [at] Aphek & the Israelites pitched [tents] by a fountain [that] is in Jezreel. The Philistine lords [marched] on by 100’s & 1,000’s, but David & his men [marched] in the [rear] with Achish. |
Then, the [Philistine] princes [asked, Why are] these Hebrews here? Achish said to [them,] Isn’t this David, the servant of Saul, the king of Israel, [who] has been with me all these days & years? |
I haven’t found [any] fault in him, since he [defected to me, until] this day? The [Philistine] princes were [angry] with him & said, Make [David] return & go to the place you have appointed [to] him. |
[But don’t] let him go down with us [into] battle, lest in battle, [David turns himself against] us. Should [David reunite with] his master, [Saul, than] be with the heads of these men? |
Isn’t this David, of whom they sang to one another & [danced,] saying, Saul [killed] 1,000’s, but David [killed] 10,000’s? |
Then, Achish called David to him & said to him, As surely as the Lord lives, you have been upright & your goings in & out with the [army] have been good in my sight. |
For I haven’t found [any wickedness] in you, since the day you [came] to me [until] this day. [Still,] the [Philistine] lords [aren’t in] favor [of] you [going to battle with them.] |
[For this reason,] return & go in peace, [so] that you [won’t] displease the [Philistine] lords. David [asked] Achish, What have I done? What have you found in me,] your servant, [all this time] I have been with you until this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord, king [Achish?] |
Achish [answered] David, I know you [have been] good in my sight [like] an angel of God, [but still] the [Philistine] princes have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle. |
[For this reason, you & your] master’s servants [who] have come with you, [rise] up early in the morning [at daylight] & [leave.] David & his men rose early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines & the Philistine [army] went up to Jezreel. |