1 The Philistines gathered all their hosts together unto Aphek: And Israel pitched by a fountain in Jezreel.
2 And the lords of the Philistines went forth by hundreds and by thousands. But David and his men came behind with Achish.
3 Then said the lords of the Philistines, "What are yonder Hebrews?" And Achish said unto the lords of the Philistines, "Is not this David the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me days or years? And I have found no fault in him since he fled unto me unto this day."
4 Nevertheless the lords of the Philistines were wroth with him and said unto him, "Make this fellow return, and let him go again to his place which thou hast appointed him. For he shall not go with us to do battle, lest he be an adversary to us in the battle. For wherewith could he better obtain the favour of his master, than upon the heads of our men?
5 Is not this David to whom they sang in dances, 'Saul slew his thousand, but David his ten thousand?'"
6 Then Achish called David and said unto him, "As sure as the LORD liveth thou art honest, and it pleaseth me well that thou shouldest accompany me in the host, for I have found none evil with thee since thou camest to me unto this day. Nevertheless, the lords of the Philistines favour thee not:
7 wherefore return and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines."
8 And David said again to Achish, "Why, what have I done? And what hast thou found in thy servant as long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?"
9 Achish answered and said to David, "I know well thou pleasest me, as it were an angel of God. Notwithstanding, the lords of the Philistines have said that thou shalt not go with them to battle.
10 Wherefore rise up early in the morning, with thy master's servants that are come with thee. And when ye be up early as soon as ye have light, depart."
11 And so David and his men rose early to depart in the morning, and to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.