BSB
1 Samuel 29
1Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
2As the Philistine leaders marched out with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish.
3Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.”
4But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men?
5Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
6So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright, and it seems right in my sight that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you are not good in the sight of the leaders.
7Therefore turn back now and go in peace, so that you will not do anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.”
8“But what have I done?” David replied. “What have you found against your servant, from the day I came to you until today, to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
9Achish replied, “I know that you are as pleasing in my sight as an angel of God. But the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’
10Now then, get up early in the morning, along with your master’s servants who came with you, and go as soon as it is light.”
11So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
Study This Passage
Key Words and Topics
These study connections are drawn from the internal BSB concordance and topical index imported into Daily Bread Intake.
Key Words in This Passage
Select a word to open the full concordance search.
Related Topics
Achish: David Escapes To 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
Angel (Holy Trinity): One of the Holy Trinity: Called Angel of God 1 Samuel 29:9
Achish replied, “I know that you are as pleasing in my sight as an angel of God. But the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’
Aphek: A City of the Tribe of Issachar: Saul Killed At 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
Armies: Often Consisted of the Whole Effective Strength of Nations 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
David: King of Israel is Refused Permission to Accompany the Philistines to Battle Against the Israelites 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
Fountains and Springs of Jezreel 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
Hebrew: Applied to And his Descendants 1 Samuel 29:3
Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.”
Integrity: David, in his Conduct While in Refuge with the Philistines 1 Samuel 29:1–11
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. / As the Philistine leaders marched out their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish. / Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.”
Jezreel: A City in the South of the Territory of the Tribe of Judah 1 Samuel 29:1, 11
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. / So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
Jezreel: A Valley: Place of the Defeat of the Israelites Under Saul and Jonathan 1 Samuel 29:1, 11
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. / So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
Philistines: Kings of Achish 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
Philistines: Lords of 1 Samuel 29:2, 6, 7
As the Philistine leaders marched out their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish. / So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright in my sight, and it seems right that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you have no favor in the sight of the leaders. / Therefore turn back now and go in peace, so that you will not do anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.”
Prudence: Achish, in Dismissing David 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
Saul: King of Israel: His Kingdom Invaded by Philistines 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
Tents were Pitched in the Neighbourhood of Wells 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
Tents were Used by The People of Israel in all Their Wars 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
The Philistines: David: Distrusted By 1 Samuel 29:2–7
As the Philistine leaders marched out their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish. / Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.” / But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men?
The Philistines: David: Gained the Confidence of Achish King of 1 Samuel 29:9
Achish replied, “I know that you are as pleasing in my sight as an angel of God. But the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’
The Philistines: Gathered all Their Armies to Aphek Against Israel 1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.
Select a topic to open the full topical search.
Bible Dictionary
Related Dictionary Terms
Explore people, places, themes, and biblical terms connected to this passage.
Commentary Insights
Study and Reflection
Explore devotional and study commentary connected to this passage.
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.
1 Samuel 29:1-5 Verses 1-5
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.
1 Samuel 29:6-11 Verses 6-11
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.