Liber I Samuelis, 29

1. Congregata sunt ergo Philisthim universa agmina in Aphec; sed et Israel castrametatus est super fontem, qui erat in Iezrahel.

1. Now the Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek; and the Israelites were encamped by the fountain which is in Jezreel.

2. Et principes quidem Philisthim incedebant in centuriis et milibus; David autem et viri eius incedebant in novissimo agmine cum Achis.

2. As the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear with A'chish,

3. Dixeruntque principes Philisthim: “Quid sibi volunt Hebraei isti?”. Et ait Achis ad principes Philisthim: “Nonne iste est David, qui fuit servus Saul regis Israel et est apud me multis diebus vel annis, et non inveni in eo quidquam ex die, qua transfugit ad me, usque ad diem hanc?”.

3. the commanders of the Philistines said, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" And A'chish said to the commanders of the Philistines, "Is not this David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me now for days and years, and since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day."

4. Irati sunt autem adversus eum principes Philisthim et dixerunt ei: “Revertatur vir iste 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 horum virorum?

4. But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him; and the commanders of the Philistines said to him, "Send the man back, that he may return to the place to which you have assigned him; he shall not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For how could this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of the men here?

5. Nonne iste est David, cui cantabant in choris dicentes: “Percussit Saul milia sua, et David decem milia sua”?”.

5. Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances, `Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?"

6. Vocavit ergo Achis David et ait ei: “Vivit Dominus quia rectus es tu, et bonus est in conspectu meo exitus tuus et introitus tuus mecum in castris, et non inveni in te quidquam mali ex die, qua venisti ad me, usque ad diem hanc. Sed principibus non places.

6. Then A'chish called David and said to him, "As the LORD lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign; for I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless the lords do not approve of you.

7. Revertere ergo et vade in pace et non offendes oculos principum Philisthim”.

7. So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines."

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?”.

8. And David said to A'chish, "But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against 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”.

9. And A'chish made answer to David, "I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the commanders of the Philistines have said, `He shall not go up with us to the battle.'

10. Igitur consurge mane, tu et servi domini tui, qui venerunt tecum, et, cum de nocte surrexeritis et coeperit dilucescere, pergite”.

10. Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you; and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light."

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

11. So David set out with his men early in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel.