1 Samuel 29

1 And the Philistines gathered all their armies at Aphek, and Israel camped at En-dor, which is in Jezreel. [a] 2 And the rulers of the Philistines were going past by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were going past at the rear, with Achish. [b]

3 And the rulers of the Philistines said, “Who are these men going by?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the slave of Saul king of Israel? He has been with us these days — this is the second year — and I have found nothing against him from the day he came over to me until this day.” 4 And the commanders of the Philistines were displeased with him, and they say to him, “Send the man back to his own place, where you settled him, and do not let him come with us into the battle, and do not let him turn plotter in the camp. And with what will this man make himself right with his master? Will it not be with the heads of those men? 5 Is this not David, the one they led off the dances for, singing, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” [c]

6 And Achish called David and said to him, “As the Lord lives, you are straight, and good in my eyes, and so is your going out and your coming in with me in the camp; and I have found no evil in you from the day you came to me until today. But in the eyes of the rulers you are not good. [d] 7 So now go back, and go in peace, and you will do nothing evil in the eyes of the rulers of the Philistines.” 8 And David said to Achish, “What have I done to you? And what have you found in your slave from the first day I stood before you until this day, that I should not come and fight the enemies of my lord the king?” [e]

9 And Achish answered David, “I know that you are good in my eyes. But the rulers of the Philistines say, ‘He is not to come with us into the battle.’ 10 So now get up early in the morning, you and the servants of your lord who came with you, and go to the place where I settled you; and do not put a poisonous word in your heart, for you are good before me. Rise early on the road, and when the light comes to you, go.” [f] 11 So David rose early, he and his men, to go away and to guard the land of the Philistines; and the Philistines went up to fight against Israel. [g]