A reading from the book of 1 Samuel.

Now the Philistines had gathered all their forces at Aphic,

and the Israelites were encamped by the spring that is in Jesrael.

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 Akish, the commanders

of the Philistines said, What are these Hebrews doing here? And Akish said to the commanders

of the Philistines, Is this not 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.

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? Is not this David,

of whom they sing to one another in dances, Saul has struck

down his thousands, and David his ten thousands? Then Akush 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 if you're coming to me to this day.

Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you.

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

And David said to Akish,

But what have I done?

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