| Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1The Philistines brought all their military units together at Aphek while Israel was camped by the spring in Jezreel. | 1The entire Philistine army now mobilized at Aphek, and the Israelites camped at the spring in Jezreel. |
| 2As the Philistine leaders were passing in review with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were passing in review behind them with Achish. | 2As 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. |
| 3Then the Philistine commanders asked, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" Achish answered the Philistine commanders, "That is David, servant of King Saul of Israel. He has been with me a considerable period of time. From the day he defected until today, I've found no fault with him." | 3But 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.” |
| 4The Philistine commanders, however, were enraged with Achish and told him, "Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the battle. What better way could he ingratiate himself with his master than with the heads of our men? | 4But 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? |
| 5Isn't this the David they sing about during their dances: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands?" | 5Isn’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’?” |
| 6So Achish summoned David and told him, "As the LORD lives, you are an honorable man. I think it is good to have you fighting in this unit with me, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until today. But the leaders don't think you are reliable. | 6So 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. |
| 7Now go back quietly and you won't be doing anything the Philistine leaders think is wrong." | 7Please don’t upset them, but go back quietly.” |
| 8"But what have I done?" David replied to Achish. "From the first day I entered your service until today, what have you found against your servant to keep me from going to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" | 8“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?” |
| 9Achish answered David, "I'm convinced that you are as reliable as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders have said, 'He must not go into battle with us.' | 9But 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. |
| 10So get up early in the morning, you and your masters' servants who came with you. When you've all gotten up early, go as soon as it's light." | 10Now get up early in the morning, and leave with your men as soon as it gets light.” |
| 11So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel. | 11So David and his men headed back into the land of the Philistines, while the Philistine army went on to Jezreel. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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