1Now the entire Philistine army gathered at Aphek; and the Israelites camped by a spring in Jezreel. 2And the leaders of the Philistines marched their forces by hundreds, and thousands; but David and his men marched in the rear guard with Achish. 3Then some of the Philistine leaders said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish told them, “This is David, who was an officer of Saul the king of Israel; and he has been with me for over a year, and I have found him loyal since he left Saul and came over to me.” 4And the Philistine leaders were displeased with the king; and said, “Make this fellow return to the place that you have assigned him, but do not let him go to battle with us, because in the battle, he might become our adversary. What better way could he reconcile himself to Saul? Would it not be with our heads? 5Is this not David, of whom they sang to each other in dances, ‘Saul killed his thousands, and David his ten-thousands’?” 6Then Achish called David, and told him, “Surely, as the LORD lives, you have been reliable, and your conduct with me in the army is good in my sight; I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me. Nevertheless, the leaders do not favor you. 7So turn back, now, and go in peace, so that you do not upset the Philistine leaders.” 8And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? And what fault have you found in me all this time that I have been with you, that I may not go and fight against your enemies?” 9And Achish told David, “I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; however, the Philistine leaders have said, ‘He shall not go to the battle with us!’ 10Therefore, rise up early in the morning with your men who are with you; and as soon as you have morning light, depart.” 11So David and his men rose early the next morning and returned to the land of the Philistines, while the Philistines continued their march up to Jezreel.