| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. | 1Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. |
| 2As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. | 2As the Philistine leaders marched out their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish. |
| 3The commanders of the Philistines asked, "What about these Hebrews?" Achish replied, "Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him." | 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 Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, "Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master's favor than by taking the heads of our own men? | 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? |
| 5Isn't this the David they sang about in their dances: "'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?" | 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 called David and said to him, "As surely as the LORD lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don't approve of you. | 6So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD 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. |
| 7Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers." | 7Therefore turn back now and go in peace, so that you will not do anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.” |
| 8"But what have I done?" asked David. "What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can't I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" | 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 answered, "I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, 'He must not go up with us into battle.' | 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 get up early, along with your master's servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light." | 10Now then, get up early in the morning, along with your master’s 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 go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel. | 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. |
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