The Philistines Reject David
1 Samuel 29:1-11
1 S.29.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקבצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- מחניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,pl
- אפקה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חנים: VERB,qal,ptc,mp
- בעין: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ביזרעאל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 4:1 (verbal): Both verses place the Philistines at Aphek; 1 Sam 4:1 explicitly records the Philistines encamping at Aphek, mirroring the location in 1 Sam 29:1.
- 1 Samuel 17:1 (thematic): Describes the Philistines gathering their host to fight Israel and encamping for battle (at Ephes‑Dammim), paralleling the theme of Philistine mobilization in 1 Sam 29:1.
- 1 Samuel 13:17 (thematic): Another account of the Philistines assembling to engage Israel—emphasizes the recurring military threat and large-scale mustering that frames 1 Sam 29:1.
- 1 Samuel 28:4 (structural): Shows a similar arrangement—Philistines pitched in one locality and Israel encamped elsewhere (Philistines at Shunem, Israel at Gilboa)—paralleling the structural contrast of opposing camps in 1 Sam 29:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Philistines gathered all their armies at Aphek; and Israel encamped by the spring that is in Jezreel.
- And the Philistines gathered all their camps at Aphek, and Israel encamped by the spring that is in Jezreel.
1 S.29.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וסרני: CONJ
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- עברים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- למאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ולאלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ודוד: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואנשיו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- עברים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- באחרנה: PREP+ADV,ord,f,sg
- עם: PREP
- אכיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 27:1-12 (structural): Narrative background: earlier account of David living among the Philistines under Achish and being stationed at Ziklag, which sets the context for him mustering with the Philistine forces here.
- 1 Samuel 29:7 (verbal): Directly related verse in the same chapter where Achish affirms that David has been with the Philistines (‘with us’)—it echoes the identification of David and his men as part of the Philistine muster.
- 1 Samuel 30:1-2 (thematic): Consequence of David’s presence with Philistine forces: while he is away with Achish, raiders attack and burn Ziklag, linking the muster with the ensuing crisis for David.
- 1 Samuel 21:10-15 (allusion): Earlier episode of David in Philistine territory (Gath) before Achish, illustrating the recurring motif of David seeking refuge among Philistines and his ambiguous status among them.
- 1 Samuel 13:5 (thematic): Another description of the Philistine military assembly (large numbers and organized forces), paralleling the depiction here of Philistine mustering ‘by hundreds and by thousands.’
Alternative generated candidates
- And the princes of the Philistines passed by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men passed in the rear with Achish.
- And the commanders of the Philistines passed by in hundreds and in thousands, and David and his men passed in the rear with Achish.
1 S.29.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- מה: PRON,int
- העברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אכיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- הלוא: PART
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- או: CONJ
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- מצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מאומה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מיום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 27:2-12 (structural): Narrative context: David takes refuge with Achish, lives in Philistine territory, and Achish treats him as a trusted vassal—background to Achish’s defense of David in 29:3.
- 1 Samuel 21:10-15 (thematic): Earlier episode in Gath where David encounters Achish (or the Philistine court) and must disguise himself—shows prior contacts between David and Philistine rulers that inform their attitudes here.
- 1 Samuel 16:21-22 (verbal): States that David served before Saul (played music and was in Saul’s service), paralleling the phrase “David, servant of Saul king of Israel” used by Achish.
- 1 Samuel 29:4 (structural): Immediate parallel in the next verse: the Philistine commanders openly reject David’s presence and argue he may turn against them—directly responds to Achish’s defense in 29:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the princes of the Philistines said, "What are these Hebrews?" And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, "Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days or these years? I have found nothing in him from the day he came to me until this day."
- And the princes of the Philistines said, "Who are these Hebrews?" And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, "Is not this David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days and these years? I have found no fault in him from the day he came to me until this day."
1 S.29.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקצפו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- השב: VERB,hif,imp,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- מקומו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הפקדתו: VERB,hiphil,perf,2,m,sg+OBJ,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- ולא: CONJ
- ירד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עמנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- לשטן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובמה: CONJ+PREP+INT
- יתרצה: VERB,hithpael,impf,3,m,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אדניו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+POSS,3,m,sg
- הלוא: PART
- בראשי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 29:2 (structural): Immediate narrative context: Achish welcomes and trusts David, creating the contrast with the Philistine commanders' mistrust in v.4.
- 1 Samuel 29:5 (verbal): Parallel wording and action in the same episode where Achish is compelled to tell David to return to the place assigned him rather than go into battle.
- 1 Samuel 27:6–12 (thematic): Background account of David living with Achish (serving the Philistines and given Ziklag), which explains why the Philistine leaders fear his presence and loyalty in v.4.
- 1 Samuel 21:10–15 (allusion): Earlier episode of David among the Philistines (in Gath) where his identity and loyalty are suspect; highlights the recurring theme of David's risky presence among Israel's enemies.
- Psalm 55:12–14 (thematic): Expresses the pain and danger of betrayal by a close companion—paralleling the Philistine commanders' fear that David, though with them, could become an enemy in battle.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the princes of the Philistines were angry with him, and the princes of the Philistines said to him, "Return the man, and let him go to the place you appointed for him; let him not go down with us to battle, that he not be a snare to us in the battle. Why should this one be a cause of offense to your lord?
- And the princes of the Philistines were angry with him and said to him, "Return the man, and let him go to the place that you have assigned him; let him not go down with us to battle, lest he be an adversary to us in the fight. How then shall this be pleasing to your lord? Is he not the head of those men?"
1 S.29.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הלוא: PART
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יענו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- במחלות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הכה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באלפיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons,poss:3,m,sg
- ודוד: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ברבבתיו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons,poss:3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Sam.18:7 (verbal): Contains the identical refrain sung by the women—'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands'—which 1 Sam 29:5 recalls as the source of David's reputation.
- 1 Sam.18:6-9 (structural): Narrative context for the popular song and its effect: the public acclaim of David leads to Saul's jealousy and hostility—same causal theme echoed in 29:4–5.
- 1 Sam.29:4 (verbal): Immediate context in the same scene: Achish's servants explicitly identify David and cite his fame/previous exploits as the reason for mistrust, directly related to verse 29:5's line about the song.
- 1 Sam.20:30-31 (thematic): Shows Saul's growing anger and jealous response to David's favor and public esteem—a parallel instance of Saul reacting to popular praise of David, thematically linked to the chant referenced in 29:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- Is this not David of whom they used to sing in dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?
- Is this not David, of whom they sing, saying, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands"?
1 S.29.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אכיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ישר: ADJ,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- וטוב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- צאתך: NOUN,f,sg,cons,poss:2ms
- ובאך: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- מצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מיום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באך: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ובעיני: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- הסרנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 27:6-8 (structural): Same narrative thread: Achish's prior acceptance and trust of David among the Philistines (he gives David Ziklag and favors him), showing continuity with his remark here that David has done him no wrong.
- 1 Samuel 18:5-14 (thematic): Earlier Israelite testimonies to David's success and integrity (David prospering in all he did and winning the people's favor); parallels the theme of a leader commending David's character and public reputation.
- Genesis 39:2-4 (thematic): Potiphar (an Egyptian) sees that the LORD is with Joseph and finds no fault in him, entrusting him with his house—parallel of a foreign master praising and trusting a Hebrew servant.
- Daniel 6:3 (thematic): A foreign ruler (Darius) finds an ‘excellent spirit’ in Daniel and elevates him above others despite potential jealousy—echoes the motif of a non-Israelite sovereign commending and trusting a faithful Israelite.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Achish called David and said to him, "As the LORD lives, you are upright and good in my eyes; for I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines find you not good."
- Then Achish called David and said to him, "As the LORD lives, you are upright and good in my sight; for you have conducted yourself well before me in the camp, and I have found no wickedness in you from the day you came to me until this day; but the princes do not favor you."
1 S.29.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- שוב: ADV
- ולך: CONJ+PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- בשלום: PREP
- ולא: CONJ
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- סרני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
Parallels
- 1 Sam.29.4-5 (structural): Immediate context: the Philistine commanders object to David serving with them, prompting Achish’s order to send David away and not harm him.
- 1 Sam.27.8-12 (thematic): Earlier episode where David lived with Achish and was favored by him; contrasts Achish’s prior acceptance of David with his later decision to dismiss him for political reasons.
- 1 Sam.21.10-15 (thematic): David’s earlier visit to Achish in Gath where he is perceived as a threat and expelled—parallel situation of David seeking refuge among Philistines and being sent away.
- 1 Sam.25.35 (verbal): David’s dismissal of Abigail with the formula 'go in peace' (לך בשלום), showing the same peaceful send‑off language used to dismiss a potentially dangerous or contentious party.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore go back, and go in peace; do not do anything that displeases the princes of the Philistines.
- Now therefore return and go in peace, and do not do anything that displeases the princes of the Philistines.
1 S.29.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- אכיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- מה: PRON,int
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- מצאת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בעבדך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- מיום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הייתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- אבוא: VERB,qal,impf,1,NA,sg
- ונלחמתי: CONJ+VERB,nif,perf,1,com,sg
- באיבי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 26:18-19 (verbal): David uses the same defensive formula—'What have I done? What is in my hand?'—and insists he has not wronged Saul, a near-verbal parallel in pleading innocence and refusal to harm the LORD's anointed.
- 1 Samuel 24:17-18 (verbal): Earlier David pleads innocence to Saul ('see to the charge... I have not sinned against you'), echoing the claim in 29:8 that he has done nothing to merit refusal to fight the king's enemies.
- 1 Samuel 27:6-8 (structural): These verses recount David's stay with Achish and his military activity; they provide the broader narrative context for 29:8—David's ambiguous relationship with Achish and the issue of whether he fights Israel's enemies or not.
- Psalm 26:1 (thematic): A thematic parallel: the psalmist (traditionally David) appeals to innocence and integrity—'Judge me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity'—mirroring David's assertion of blameless conduct before Achish.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David said to Achish, "But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I stood before you until this day, that I should not go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?"
- And David said to Achish, "What have I done? And what have you found in your servant from the day that I came to you until now, that I should not go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?"
1 S.29.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אכיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- כי: CONJ
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כמלאך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אך: PART
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עמנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- במלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1Sam.27:6 (thematic): Achish’s earlier favorable treatment of David (granting him Ziklag) provides background for Achish’s positive regard in 29:9.
- 1Sam.29:4-5 (verbal): Immediate context where the Philistine commanders question David’s presence and identity—direct lead‑up to the decision referenced in 29:9.
- 1Sam.29:8 (verbal): Achish defends David to his princes, acknowledging David’s usefulness but yielding to their refusal—parallels the same tension in 29:9.
- 1Sam.30:1-2 (thematic): Shows the consequence of David’s being sent away (return to Ziklag and its destruction), linking causally to the commanders’ decision in 29:9.
- 1Sam.21:10-15 (thematic): An earlier episode of David seeking refuge among the Philistines (in Gath) and his precarious position there, illustrating the recurring theme of David as an outsider within Philistine circles.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Achish answered David, "I know that you are good in my sight, like an angel of God; yet the princes of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to battle.'"
- Achish answered David, "I know that you are good in my sight, as an angel of God; yet the princes of the Philistines said, 'He shall not go up with us to battle.'"
1 S.29.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- השכם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בבקר: PREP
- ועבדי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,prsfx,1s
- אדניך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- והשכמתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- בבקר: PREP
- ואור: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- ולכו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 29:11 (structural): Immediate continuation: Achish sends David away and David and his men rise early and depart—directly completes the action commanded in 29:10.
- 1 Samuel 30:1-2 (thematic): Consequence of the departure: after being sent back to Ziklag David returns there and discovers it raided and burned, showing the narrative outcome of his dismissal.
- 1 Samuel 21:10-15 (allusion): Earlier encounter with Achish (at Gath) where Philistine suspicion forces David to escape; parallels the motif of Philistine mistrust and David's precarious position among them.
- 2 Samuel 15:14 (thematic): David orders his household to 'rise up, and let us flee' at dawn during Absalom's revolt—similar language and the urgent motif of rising early to depart in crisis.
- 1 Samuel 27:6 (structural): Background context: Achish had previously given David the town of Ziklag, which explains why Achish can direct David to return there in 29:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now therefore rise early in the morning; you and the servants of your lord who came with you—rise early and depart. Let it be light for you; go in peace.
- Now therefore rise early in the morning; you and the servants of your lord who came with you—arise early and depart; may it be light for you; go.
1 S.29.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכם: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ואנשיו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- בבקר: PREP
- לשוב: INF,qal
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ופלשתים: CONJ+NOUN_PROP,m,pl,abs
- עלו: PREP+3ms_suff
- יזרעאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 27:6 (structural): Describes David’s residence among the Philistines at Ziklag under Achish — background for David’s returning to Philistine territory in 29:11.
- 1 Samuel 29:1 (verbal): Immediate context: the Philistine army’s assembly and the lords’ rejection of David earlier in the chapter, which precipitates David’s departure the next morning.
- 1 Samuel 30:1-6 (thematic): Aftermath of David’s absence from Israelite action: on returning to Ziklag David finds the town burned and his men distressed — a direct consequence of his alignment with/return to Philistine territory.
- 2 Samuel 5:17-25 (thematic): Later episodes of Philistine attacks on David show the recurring conflict and shifting relations between David and the Philistines after his time among them.
- 1 Samuel 31:1-13 (thematic): The climactic battle between Israel and the Philistines (Saul’s defeat on Mount Gilboa) connects to the campaign movements in the Jezreel/Gilboa region mentioned in 29:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- And David rose up, he and his men, to go in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines; and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
- So David rose up, he and his men, to go in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines; and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
And the Philistines gathered together all their forces to Aphek; and Israel encamped by the spring that is in Jezreel. And the princes of the Philistines passed by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men passed along behind them with Achish. And the princes of the Philistines said, 'Who are these Hebrews?' And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, 'Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days or these years? I have found nothing in him from the day he came to me until this day.' And the princes of the Philistines were angry with him, and the princes of the Philistines said to him, 'Send the man away, and let him return to the place you assigned him; he shall not go down with us to the battle, lest he be a snare to us in the fighting. How then can this fellow be reconciled to his lord? Is he not one of the chiefs of those men?'
Is this not David, of whom they used to sing responsively in the dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands'? And Achish called David and said to him, 'As the LORD lives, you are upright, and it is pleasing in my sight how you go out and how you come in with me in the camp; for I have found nothing in you from the day you came to me until this day; but in the eyes of the princes you are not acceptable.' Now therefore go back, and go in peace; do no harm in the sight of the princes of the Philistines. And David said to Achish, 'What have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I have been before you until this day, that I should not come and fight the enemies of my lord the king?' And Achish answered David, 'I know that you are good in my sight, like an angel of God; but the princes of the Philistines have said, "He shall not go up with us into battle."' Now therefore rise early in the morning; you and the servants of your lord who came with you—rise early; as soon as it is light you may be recognized. Go now and return to the land of the Philistines. So David rose up, he and his men, to depart in the morning and return to the land of the Philistines; and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.