1 Samuel29
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 Now the had their at . And the were by the is in .
2 As the of the were by and by , and and his were in the with ,
3 the of the , are doing here? And to the of the , Is , the of , of , has been with me for , and he to me I have in him .
4 But the of the were with him. And the of the to him, the , that he may to the to you have him. He shall us to , lest in the he become an to us. For how could himself to his ? Would it be with the of the here?
5 Is , of they to one another in , has his , and his ?
6 Then and to him, As the Lord , you have been , and to me it that you should march and with me in the . I have in you the of your to me . Nevertheless, the do of you.
7 So go ; and , that you may the of the .
8 And to , have I ? have you in your the I entered your , that I may and against the of my the ?
9 And and , I you are as in my as an of . , the of the have , He shall us to the .
10 then rise in the with the of your with you, and start in the , and as soon as you have .
11 So with his in the to to the of the . But the to .
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1 Samuel 29Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 29. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David objected to by the Philistines. (1–5). He is dismissed by Achish. (6–11).
vv1-5
David waited with a secret hope that the Lord would help him out of his difficulty. But he seems to have been influenced too much by the fear of man, in consenting to attend Achish. It is hard to come near to the brink of sin, and not to fall in. God inclined the princes of the Philistines to oppose David's being employed in the battle. Thus their dislike befriended him, when no friend could do him such a kindness.
vv6-11
David scarcely ever had a greater deliverance than when dismissed from such insnaring service. God's people should always behave themselves so, as, if possible, to get the good word of all they have dealings with: and it is due to those who have acted well, to speak well of them.
Key Words
פְּלִשְׁתִּי: a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth
קָבַץ: to grasp, i.e. collect
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַחֲנֶה: an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts)
אֲפֵק: Aphek (or Aphik), the name of three places in Palestine
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
חָנָה: properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch atent; gen. to encamp (for abode or siege)
עַיִן: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
יִזְרְעֵאל: Jizreel, the name of two places in Palestine and of two Israelites
Cross References
1 Samuel 29The exact song of David's superior triumphs cited by the suspicious Philistine princes.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Provides immediate context of the Philistines gathering to war against Israel.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Establishes the timeline ('these years' or 'days') of David's stay in Philistine territory.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicitly describes how Manassites fell to David as he returned from the Philistine army.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David's promise to Achish to serve in his rearward guard, leading to this predicament.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Earlier instance where Achish's servants recognized David by this same song.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Shows God's providence in dismissing David just in time to salvage Ziklag.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical precedent of Hebrew mercenaries turning against Philistines mid-battle to reconcile with Saul.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes the proverbial comparison of David to 'an angel of God' in wisdom and integrity.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Geographical parallel tracing the Philistines' march toward Shunem and Jezreel.
Supported by JFB
Parallel wording of David defending his loyalty against suspected treachery.
Supported by Matthew Poole