I Samuelis 29

1 congregata sunt ergo Philisthim universa agmina in Afec sed et Israhel castrametatus est super fontem qui erat in Iezrahel

The Philistines gathered all their armies at Aphek, and the Israelites set up camp by the spring in Jezreel.

2 et satrapae quidem Philisthim incedebant in centuriis et milibus David autem et viri eius erant in novissimo agmine cum Achis

The Philistine rulers were marching out in their divisions of hundreds and thousands with David and his men at the rear with King Achish.

3 dixeruntque principes Philisthim quid sibi volunt Hebraei isti et ait Achis ad principes Philisthim num ignoratis David qui fuit servus Saul regis Israhel et est apud me multis diebus vel annis et non inveni in eo quicquam ex die qua transfugit ad me usque ad diem hanc

But the Philistine commanders asked, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” Achish replied to the Philistine commanders, “That's David, an officer of King Saul of Israel. He's been with me for a long time, years even, and I haven't found any fault in him since the day he came over to our side up till now.”

4 irati sunt autem adversus eum principes Philisthim et dixerunt ei revertatur vir et sedeat in loco suo in quo constituisti eum et non descendat nobiscum in proelium ne fiat nobis adversarius cum proeliari coeperimus quomodo enim aliter placare poterit dominum suum nisi in capitibus nostris

But the Philistine commanders got angry with Achish, and told him, “Send him back to the place he came from, to the town you assigned to him. He can't go with us into battle. What if he turns on us during the fighting? What a great way for him to please his master—by handing over the heads of our men!

5 nonne iste est David cui cantabant in choro dicentes percussit Saul in milibus suis et David in decem milibus suis

Isn't this the David they sing about in their dances: ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

6 vocavit ergo Achis David et ait ei vivit Dominus quia rectus es tu et bonus in conspectu meo et exitus tuus et introitus tuus mecum est in castris et non inveni in te quicquam mali ex die qua venisti ad me usque ad diem hanc sed satrapis non places

So Achish called David over and told him, “As the Lord lives, you are honest and you've done what's right as far as I can see. As far as I'm concerned you should march with me into battle because I haven't found any fault in you from the day you arrived until now. But the other leaders don't approve of you.

7 revertere ergo et vade in pace et non offendes oculos satraparum Philisthim

So go back home in peace, and that way you won't do anything to upset the Philistine leaders.”

8 dixitque David ad Achis quid enim feci et quid invenisti in me servo tuo a die qua fui in conspectu tuo usque in diem hanc ut non veniam et pugnem contra inimicos domini mei regis

“But what have I done?” David asked. “What fault have you found in me, your servant, from the day I came to you until now, that would prevent me from going to fight the enemies of my lord the king?”

9 respondens autem Achis locutus est ad David scio quia bonus es tu in oculis meis sicut angelus Dei sed principes Philisthim dixerunt non ascendet nobiscum in proelium

“As far as I'm concerned, you're as good as an angel of God,” Achish replied. “But the Philistine commanders have stated, ‘He can't go into battle with us.’

10 igitur consurge mane tu et servi domini tui qui venerunt tecum et cum de nocte surrexeritis et coeperit dilucescere pergite

So get up early tomorrow morning and leave with your men as soon as it's light.”

11 surrexit itaque de nocte David ipse et viri eius ut proficiscerentur mane et reverterentur ad terram Philisthim Philisthim autem ascenderunt in Iezrahel

David and his men got up early in the morning and went back to the country of the Philistines. But the Philistines advanced on Jezreel.