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1 Samuel

Tells about Samuel, the last judge, and the beginning of Israel's monarchy with King Saul and young David.

Chapter 29

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1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.

*Now, the Philistines brought all their forces to a place called Aphek, and the Israelites set up camp near a spring in Jezreel.

2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.

*The leaders of the Philistine group had many people, even in the thousands. However, David and his team traveled behind them, accompanying Achish.

3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?

*Then the Philistine leaders asked, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" And Achish replied, "This is David, who used to serve Saul, the king of Israel. He has been with me for years and I've never found any wrong in him."

4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?

*The Philistine leaders were angry with him. They told him to send this person back, to return to his assigned place, and not to join them in battle. They worried that in the fight, he might work against them. They questioned how he would make peace with his master. Wouldn't it be through the heads of these men?

5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

*Isn't this David, the one people sang about while dancing, who said that Saul killed thousands, and he, David, killed tens of thousands?

6 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.

*Then King Achish talked to David and said, "I truly believe that you are a good person. You've been a great help to me when we were together in battle. I haven't seen you do anything wrong since you came to work for me. But, the Lord isn't helping you with success."

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

*So now, go back and leave in peace so you don't upset the leaders of the Philistines.

8 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?

*David asked Achish, "What have I done wrong? And why have you found any issues with me during the time I've been with you? I haven't disobeyed my king by not fighting his enemies."

9 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.

*Achish told David, "I know you're great and like an angel from God. But the leaders of the Philistines say you can't join our fight."

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.

*So, get up early with your master's helpers who came with you. When it's light outside, leave right away.

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.

*So, David and his group got up early to leave in the morning and go back to the Philistine land. Meanwhile, the Philistines moved towards Jezreel.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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