About 1 Samuel

1 Samuel records the transition from judges to monarchy, including Samuel's ministry, Saul's rise and fall, and David's anointing.

Author: Samuel, Nathan, GadWritten: c. 1050-900 BCReading time: ~1 minVerses: 11
TransitionKingshipObedienceRejectionGod's SovereigntyHeart

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Aphek 2(Settlement)Jezreel 2(Settlement)

King James Version

1 Samuel 29

11 verses with commentary

The Philistines Reject David

1

Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.

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The narrative returns to David's crisis, revealing the full extent of Philistine mobilization at Aphek. The Israelite position 'by a fountain which is in Jezreel' places them near the spring that would become strategically important throughout Israel's history. The geographical separation of the armies sets the stage for the confrontation that will decide Saul's fate. David's presence with the Philistines creates the impossible situation toward which the previous chapters have been building.
2

And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.

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The review of Philistine forces, 'by hundreds, and by thousands,' reveals the magnitude of the army David was expected to fight alongside against Israel. His position 'in the rereward with Achish' (Hebrew: 'ba'acharonah,' in the rear guard) placed him with the king's personal retinue. This prominent position would have made any hesitation or defection highly visible. David's predicament had reached its crisis point: how could he fight against his own people, including Jonathan, without destroying his future kingship?
3

Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?

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The Philistine princes' challenge, 'What do these Hebrews here?' uses the ethnic designation 'Ivrim' (Hebrews) with apparent contempt. Their suspicion of David despite Achish's testimony shows that political alliances cannot overcome deep ethnic and religious divisions. Achish's defense of David, noting his time of service 'these days, or these years,' indicates David had been faithful in his visible duties. The confrontation exposes the tension between Achish's personal trust and the other lords' institutional suspicion.
4

And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?

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The princes' anger and their reasoning reveal the fear underlying their suspicion. Their concern that David might become 'an adversary' (Hebrew: 'satan,' opponent, accuser) in battle reflects sound military judgment: a defector might re-defect at the crucial moment. The rhetorical question about how David might 'reconcile himself unto his master' (Hebrew: 'adonayw,' Saul as lord) suggests they understood the political reality better than Achish. The reference to 'the heads of these men' recalls David's trophies of Philistine heads, now potentially turned against them.
5

Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

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The Philistines' quotation of the women's song, 'Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands,' demonstrates how David's fame had spread even among enemies. This same song provoked Saul's initial jealousy (18:7); now it saves David from fighting against Israel. The irony is profound: the song that began David's troubles with Saul now prevents his greatest moral compromise. God uses David's reputation as a Philistine-slayer to remove him from the Philistine army.
6

Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not. the lords: Heb. thou art not good in the eyes of the lords

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Achish's personal summons to David communicates the decision with remarkable diplomacy. His oath 'as the LORD liveth' (using YHWH, Israel's covenant name) may indicate genuine respect for David's faith or diplomatic courtesy. The assessment that David has been 'upright' (Hebrew: 'yashar') throughout his service is accurate as far as Achish knows. The phrase 'the lords favour thee not' (Hebrew: 'lo-tov attah be'eney seranim') places blame on others while expressing personal confidence. Achish genuinely believed David was loyal.
7

Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines. displease: Heb. do not evil in the eyes of the lords

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Achish's dismissal, 'return, and go in peace,' releases David from the impossible obligation with honor intact. The phrase 'that thou displease not the lords' (Hebrew: 'al-ta'aseh ra' be'eney seraney pelishtim') acknowledges the political reality that Achish cannot override the coalition's decision. David's departure 'in peace' (Hebrew: 'lech beshalom') preserves his relationship with Gath while freeing him from fighting Israel. What appeared as rejection becomes deliverance, demonstrating God's providential orchestration of political circumstances.
8

And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king? with: Heb. before thee

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David's protest, 'But what have I done?', maintains his deceptive persona while potentially revealing genuine frustration at the ambiguous resolution. His question could be honest indignation at unjust suspicion or strategic performance maintaining his cover with Achish. The ambiguous phrase 'the enemies of my lord the king' could refer to either Achish's enemies (Israel) or Saul's enemies (the Philistines), preserving David's double identity. This final act of diplomatic theater protects David's position regardless of battle outcomes.
9

And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.

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Achish's comparison of David to 'an angel of God' (Hebrew: 'kemal'ak elohim') ironically uses divine vocabulary to describe someone whose primary activity has been deception. The Philistine king's complete confidence in David's goodness reveals how thoroughly the deception succeeded. Yet the phrase also carries theological weight: David has indeed functioned as a divine messenger, carrying out Israel's mandate against Amalekites and other enemies while appearing to serve Philistia. God's providence works through even compromised circumstances.
10

Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.

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Achish's final instructions establish the practical arrangements for David's departure. The phrase 'thy master's servants that are come with thee' (Hebrew: 'avdey adonekha') may refer to David's men as servants of Saul (their former allegiance) or as David's own followers. The instruction to leave at first light ensures David's departure is orderly and visible, preventing any accusation of desertion. The practical details conclude the diplomatic resolution that saves David from his impossible situation.
11

So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

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The chapter's conclusion, noting David's early departure and the Philistines' advance to Jezreel, sets the stage for simultaneous narratives: David returning to Ziklag and the Philistines marching to battle. The separation of these storylines creates dramatic tension. While David travels south, the battle that will change Israel's history proceeds north. Divine providence has extracted David from the conflict that will kill Saul and Jonathan, preserving him for the throne while removing the barriers to his succession.

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