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.

⁶ 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. ⁷ Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.”

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?”

⁹ 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.