And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.
David went out to meet them and said, 'If you have come in peace to help me, my heart will be united with yours. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies, even though I have done nothing wrong, may the God of our ancestors see this and judge you for it.'
David is cautiously welcoming potential allies, offering friendship if they come in peace but warning that God will judge them if they intend betrayal.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative, David was on the run from King Saul, who was jealous of David's growing popularity and sought to kill him. At this point, various groups of warriors from different tribes were pledging their loyalty to David as he prepared to become king. David addressed these men from Saul's own tribe with caution, offering alliance if their intentions were peaceful but invoking God's judgment if they were there to betray him.
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