1 Samuel Chapter 29 — David Rejected by the Philistines
The Philistine commanders refuse to let David and his men fight alongside them against Israel, fearing David might turn on them to regain Saul's favor.
1Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek; and the Israelites encamped by the spring which is in Jezreel.
2The lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds and by thousands; and David and his men passed on in the rear with Achish.
3Then the princes of the Philistines said, “What about these Hebrews?”
4But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; and the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For with what should this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Should it not be with the heads of these men?
5Isn’t this David, of whom people sang to one another in dances, saying,
6Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the LORD lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight; for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords don’t favor you.
7Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.”
8David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant so long as I have been before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
9Achish answered David, “I know that you are 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.’
10Therefore now rise up early in the morning with the servants of your lord who have come with you; and as soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart.”
11So David rose up early, he and his men, to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines; and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Samuel 29:5
“Isn’t this David, of whom people sang to one another in dances, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?”
This verse demonstrates that David's past reputation as a Philistine-slayer made him a political and military liability for their leaders.
1 Samuel 29:9
“Achish answered David, “I know that you are 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.’”
This shows the high regard and trust the Philistine king had for David, despite the pressure from his peers.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Samuel 29, the Philistine armies gather at Aphek to prepare for a major battle against Israel, who are stationed at Jezreel. David and his men march in the rear with Achish, the king of Gath. However, the Philistine princes notice the Hebrews and demand that David be sent away. They worry that during the battle, David will turn against them to reconcile with King Saul, recalling the famous song that David had killed 'ten thousands' of Philistines. Despite Achish's personal defense of David's loyalty and upright character, the other lords remain firm in their distrust. Achish eventually tells David to leave early the next morning to avoid further displeasing the Philistine leaders. David questions the decision but ultimately complies, departing with his men back to the land of the Philistines while the Philistine army continues its advance toward Jezreel.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Philistine lords feared that David would become an adversary during the battle and betray them to win back King Saul’s favor. They were suspicious of his presence and remembered his history of killing Philistine soldiers.
Achish believed David was completely upright and loyal. He told David that he had found no fault in him since the day he joined the Philistines and even compared him to an angel of God.
The Israelites were encamped by the spring in Jezreel while the Philistines gathered their forces at Aphek.
Study Note
The geographic movement from Aphek to Jezreel marks the final mobilization phase before the historic battle at Mount Gilboa.
Related Chapters
1 Samuel 27
Explains how David and his men first sought refuge in Philistine territory under Achish.
1 Samuel 30
Covers what happens to David and his men immediately after they are sent back from the Philistine army.
1 Samuel 18
Provides the origin of the song about David's 'ten thousands' mentioned by the Philistine lords.
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