The Philistines Gather against Israel
1Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.”
2David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.”
“Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”
3Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.
4The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.5When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently. 6He inquired of YHVH, but YHVH did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.
1 Samuel 28:1-6
1Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. 2As the Philistine leaders marched out their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish.
3Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”
Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.”
4But the commanders of the Philistines were angry 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 war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men? 5Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances:
‘Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands’?”
6So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as יְהוָ֞ה – YHVH lives, you have been upright in my sight, and it seems right that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you have no favor in the sight of the leaders. 7Therefore now turn back and go in peace, and you will not be doing anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.”
8“But what have I done?” David replied. “What have you found against your servant, from the day I came to you until today, to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
9Achish replied, “I know that you are as pleasing in my sight as an angel of God. But the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’ 10Now then, get up early in the morning, along with your masters’ servants who came with you, and go as soon as it is 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.