1st Shamu'AL (1 Samuel) — 29

The Philistines Reject Daud

1 The entire Philistine army now mobilized at Aphak, and the Yasharalym camped at the spring in Yazraal. 

2 As the Philistine rulers were leading out their troops in groups of hundreds and thousands, Daud and his men marched at the rear with King Achish. 

3 But the Philistine commanders demanded, “What are these Abarym (Hebrews) doing here?” And Achish told them, “This is Daud, the servant of King Shaul of Yashar'AL, he is been with me for years, and I have never found a single fault in him from the day he arrived until today.”

4 But the Philistine commanders were angry. “Send him back to the town you have given him!” they demanded, “he can not 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? 

5 Is this not the same Daud about whom the women of Yashar'AL sing in their dances, ‘Shaul has killed his thousands, and Daud has killed his ten thousands’?”

6 So Achish finally summoned Daud and said to him, “I swear by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH that you have been a trustworthy ally. I think you should go with me into battle, for I have never found a single flaw in you from the day you arrived until today. But the other Philistine rulers won’t hear of it. 

7 Please do not upset them, but go back quietly.”

8 “And Daud said; What have I done to deserve this treatment? “What have you ever found in your servant, that I can not go and fight the enemies of my master the king?”

9 But Achish insisted, “As far as I am concerned, you are as perfect as a Malak of 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH. But the Philistine commanders are afraid to have you with them in the battle. 

10 Now get up early in the morning, and leave with your men as soon as it gets light.”

11 So Daud and his men headed back into the land of the Philistines, while the Philistine army went on to Yazraal.