I Samuelis 29

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

The Philistia army gathered at Aphek [Valley, which is near Shunem]. The Israelis set up their tents at Jezreel [city, which was in the same valley].

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

The kings of Philistia divided their men into groups; some groups had 100 soldiers and some groups had 1,000 soldiers. David and his men were marching behind, 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 Philistia commanders asked, “What are these Hebrews [doing here, marching with us to battle]?” Achish replied, “[Their leader is] David. [He] previously worked for King Saul of Israel, but now he has been living near me for more than a year. During all the time since he left Saul, I have not seen/found that he has any faults.”

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 Philistia army commanders were angry with Achish [for allowing David’s army to be going with them]. They said to him, “Send David [and his men] back to the city that you gave to him! We do not want him to go with us into the battle. [If he goes with us, ] we will have an enemy in our own midst! He would please King Saul by killing our own soldiers [RHQ]!

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

[Have you forgotten that] David is the one about whom the Israelis dance and sing, saying, ‘Saul has killed 1000 of our enemies, but David has killed 10,000 of them!’?”

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 summoned David, and said to him, “Just as surely as Yahweh lives, you have been loyal to me. I would like very much for you to fight along with my army. Since the day that you came to me, I have not found/seen that you have any faults. But the other Philistia rulers do not trust you.

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

So all of you go back home, and I hope/desire that things will go well for you. I do not want you(sg) to do anything that the other rulers of Philistia will not be pleased with.”

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

David replied, “What wrong have I done? Since the day that I first came to you until today, have I done anything that you think is evil? Your majesty, why will you not allow me to go and fight against your enemies?”

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

Achish replied, “I know that you are as just as good as an angel from God. But the commanders of my army have said, ‘We will not allow David [and his men] to go with us into the battle.’

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

So early tomorrow morning you and your men must leave. Get up as soon as it is light and leave.”

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

So David and his men got up early the following morning and returned to the area where the Philistia people lived. And the Philistia army went up to Jezreel.