⁸ David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites,^(A) the Girzites,^[a] and the Amalekites.^(B) From ancient times they had been the inhabitants of the region through Shur^(C) as far as the land of Egypt. ⁹ Whenever David attacked the land, he did not leave a single person alive, either man or woman, but he took flocks, herds, donkeys, camels, and clothing.^(D) Then he came back to Achish, ¹⁰ who inquired, “Where did you raid today?”^[b](E)

David replied, “The south country of Judah,” “The south country of the Jerahmeelites,”^(F) or “Against the south country of the Kenites.”^(G)

¹¹ David did not let a man or woman live to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Or they will inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’” This was David’s custom during the whole time he stayed in the Philistine territory. ¹² So Achish trusted David, thinking, “Since he has made himself detestable to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.”

³ Then 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.^[a] From the day he defected until today, I’ve found no fault with him.”^(A)