11 The Ekronites called all the Philistine rulers together.(A) They said, “Send the ark of Israel’s God away. Let it return to its place so it won’t kill us and our people!” [a] For the fear of death pervaded the city; God’s hand was oppressing them.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 5:11 DSS, LXX read “Why don’t you return it to... people?”

11 So they called together all the rulers(A) of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it[a] will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 5:11 Or he

11 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

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So Achish summoned David and told him, “As the Lord lives, you are an honorable man. I think it is good[a] to have you fighting[b] in this unit with me, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until today.(A) But the leaders don’t think you are reliable. Now go back quietly and you won’t be doing anything the Philistine leaders think is wrong.”

“But what have I done?” (B) David replied to Achish. “From the first day I entered your service until today, what have you found against your servant to keep me from going to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”

Achish answered David, “I’m convinced that you are as reliable as an angel of God.(C) But the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’(D) 10 So get up early in the morning, you and your masters’ servants who came with you.[c](E) When you’ve all gotten up early, go as soon as it’s light.” 11 So 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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Footnotes

  1. 29:6 Lit It was good in my eyes
  2. 29:6 Lit you going out and coming in
  3. 29:10 LXX adds and go to the place I appointed you to. Don’t take this evil matter to heart, for you are good before me.

So 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(A) you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers(B) don’t approve of you. Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.”

“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?”

Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel(C) of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders(D) have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ 10 Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave(E) in the morning as soon as it is light.”

11 So 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.

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Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the Lord liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.

Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.

And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?

And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.

10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.

11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

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