| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1The Philistines brought all their military units together at Aphek while Israel was camped by the spring in Jezreel. | 1The Philistines gathered all their troops at Aphek, while Israel was camped at the spring in Jezreel. |
| 2As the Philistine leaders were passing in review with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were passing in review behind them with Achish. | 2The Philistine leaders were passing in review among the military units, and David and his men were among them in the rear with Achish. |
| 3Then the Philistine commanders asked, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" Achish answered the Philistine commanders, "That is David, servant of King Saul of Israel. He has been with me a considerable period of time. From the day he defected until today, I've found no fault with him." | 3The Philistine leaders said, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" Achish asked the Philistine leaders, "Isn't this David, the servant of King Saul of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years? I've found no fault in him from the day he deserted until now." |
| 4The Philistine commanders, however, were enraged 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 battle. What better way could he regain his master's favor than with the heads of our men? | 4But the Philistine leaders were angry with him, so they pleaded with him, "Send the man back! Let him return to the place you assigned him. He mustn't go into battle with us. Otherwise, he may become our adversary in the battle! How could there be a better way for this fellow to reconcile himself with his lord? Wouldn't it be with the heads of these men? |
| 5Isn't this the David they sing about during their dances: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands?" | 5Isn't this the same David about whom the maidens sang when they were dancing, 'Saul has struck down his thousands, but David his ten thousands'?" |
| 6So Achish summoned David and told him, "As the LORD lives, you are an honorable man. I think it is good to have you working with me in the camp, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until today. But the leaders don't think you are reliable. | 6Then Achish summoned David and told him, "As surely as the LORD lives, you are trustworthy, and it seems good to me for you to campaign with me as part of the army. Indeed, I've not found any evil in you from the time you came to me until now. But the leaders don't approve of you. |
| 7Now go back quietly and you won't be doing anything the Philistine leaders think is wrong." | 7Now return and go in peace, so you do nothing to displease the Philistine leaders." |
| 8"But what have I done?" David replied to Achish. "From the first day I was with you until today, what have you found against your servant to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" | 8David told Achish, "What have I done, and what have you found in your servant from the time I came before you until this very moment, that I shouldn't go out and fight the enemies of your majesty?" |
| 9Achish answered David, "I'm convinced that you are as reliable as the Angel of God. But the Philistine commanders have said, 'He must not go into battle with us.' | 9Achish answered David, "I know that I'm pleased with you. You're like an angel of God. But the Philistine leaders have said, 'He mustn't go into battle with us.' |
| 10So get up early in the morning, you and your masters' servants who came with you. When you've all gotten up early, go as soon as it's light." | 10Now, get up early in the morning along with your lord's servants who came with you. Get up early in the morning, and go as soon as you have 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. | 11So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to Philistine territory, while the Philistines went up to Jezreel. |
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