1 Samuel 29

King James Version

Full text for 1 Samuel Chapter 29

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

2And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.

3Then 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?

4And 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?

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

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.

7Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.

8And 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?

9And 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.

10Wherefore 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.

11So 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The Philistines gather for battle against Israel, with David and his men accompanying King Achish in the rear guard. The Philistine princes question David's presence, fearing he will turn against them in battle and reconcile with Saul. Despite Achish's strong trust in David, the princes insist on his dismissal, citing his past victories against them. Consequently, David and his men are sent back to the land of the Philistines.

Medium Summary

As the Philistine armies assemble at Aphek to confront Israel, David and his six hundred men march with King Achish of Gath. The other Philistine lords, observing David, express strong apprehension, questioning why 'these Hebrews' are among them. Achish defends David, affirming his loyalty and stating he has found no fault in him since David joined him. However, the princes are unpersuaded, recalling the song celebrating David's slaying of 'ten thousands' and fearing he might become an adversary during the battle to regain Saul's favor. They demand David's immediate return to Ziklag, the place Achish had appointed for him. Achish, though still trusting David and praising him 'as an angel of God,' yields to the unanimous decision of the princes and instructs David to depart early the next morning.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with the Philistines gathering all their armies at Aphek, while the Israelites encamp by a fountain in Jezreel, preparing for a major confrontation. David and his men are seen marching in the rear guard alongside Achish, the king of Gath. As the Philistine lords pass by in their divisions, they notice David and his Hebrew contingent, prompting them to question his presence. They ask Achish, 'What do these Hebrews here?' Achish defends David, reminding them that he is 'the servant of Saul the king of Israel' and has been with him for an extended period, during which Achish claims to have found no fault in him. However, the Philistine princes are greatly displeased and insist that David be sent back to his appointed place, fearing he will become an adversary in battle. They reason that David might reconcile with Saul by turning against the Philistines, recalling the popular song, 'Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands.' Achish subsequently calls David and, affirming his personal trust and finding no evil in him, explains that the lords do not favor his participation. David, feigning eagerness to fight, asks what wrong he has committed that he cannot go against the enemies of his lord the king. Achish reiterates his personal conviction of David's goodness but emphasizes that the princes' decision is final. Therefore, David and his men rise early the next morning to return to the land of the Philistines, while the Philistine army proceeds towards Jezreel.

Core Concepts

  • Philistine MusterThe Philistine armies gather in force at Aphek, preparing for a significant battle against the Israelites, demonstrating their military might and strategic positioning.
  • Achish's Trust in DavidKing Achish consistently expresses unwavering confidence in David's loyalty and character, viewing him as upright and without fault throughout his time in Philistine territory.
  • Philistine Princes' SuspicionThe other lords of the Philistines harbor deep distrust towards David, fearing that he will betray them during battle to reconcile with King Saul, citing his past military prowess against them.
  • The Song of DavidThe princes recall the popular song celebrating David's greater military achievements ('Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands'), using it as a basis for their apprehension regarding his presence in their army.
  • David's Strategic DismissalDespite Achish's personal endorsement, the collective decision of the Philistine princes forces David and his men to return, preventing them from participating in the battle against Israel.
  • David's Feigned LoyaltyDavid protests his dismissal, expressing a desire to fight alongside the Philistines against 'the enemies of my lord the king,' maintaining his pretense of allegiance to Achish.