Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 29

Introduction

Overview

1 Samuel 29:1, David marching with the Philistines, 1 Samuel 29:3, is disallowed by their princes; 1 Samuel 29:6, Achish dismisses him, with commendations of his fidelity.

Verse 1

the Philistines: 1 Samuel 28:1, 1 Samuel 28:2

Aphek: 1 Samuel 4:1, Joshua 19:30, 1 Kings 20:30

Jezreel: 1 Samuel 28:4, Joshua 19:18, Judges 6:33, 1 Kings 18:45, 1 Kings 18:46, 1 Kings 21:1, 1 Kings 21:23, 2 Kings 9:36, Hosea 1:4-11

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 29:11 - And the Philistines 1 Samuel 31:1 - the Philistines 2 Samuel 4:4 - when the tidings 1 Kings 20:26 - Aphek 1 Chronicles 10:1 - the Philistines fought Psalms 108:11 - who hast

Verse 2

the lords: 1 Samuel 29:6, 1 Samuel 29:7, 1 Samuel 5:8-11, 1 Samuel 6:4, Joshua 13:3

but David: 1 Samuel 28:1, 1 Samuel 28:2

Reciprocal: Judges 3:3 - five lords 1 Samuel 27:1 - into the land 2 Samuel 18:4 - by hundreds 1 Chronicles 10:1 - the Philistines fought 1 Chronicles 12:19 - when he came

Verse 3

Is not this David: These words seem to mark no definite time; and may be understood thus: "Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me for a considerable time?"

these days: 1 Samuel 27:7

found: 1 Samuel 25:28, Daniel 6:5, John 19:6, Romans 12:17, 1 Peter 3:16

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 28:1 - thou shalt go 1 Samuel 29:6 - I have not

Verse 4

Make this fellow: The princes reasoned wisely, according to the common practice of mankind; and it was well for David that they were such good politicians: it was ordered by a gracious Providence that they refused to let David go with them to this battle, in which he must have been either an enemy to his country, or false to his friends and to his trust. Had he fought for the Philistines, he would have fought against God and his country; and had he in the battle gone over to the Israelites, he would have deceived and become a traitor to the hospitable Achish. God therefore delivered him from such disgrace; and by the same kind Providence he was sent back to rescue his wives, and the wives and children of his people, from captivity. 1 Samuel 14:21, 1 Chronicles 12:19, Luke 16:8

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 29:9 - the princes 2 Samuel 3:25 - and to know 1 Chronicles 19:3 - but the princes Psalms 56:1 - when

Verse 5

1 Samuel 18:6, 1 Samuel 18:7, 1 Samuel 21:11, Proverbs 27:14

Verse 6

the Lord: 1 Samuel 20:3, 1 Samuel 28:10, Deuteronomy 10:20, Isaiah 65:16, Jeremiah 12:16

thou hast: Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 3:16

thy going: Numbers 27:17, 2 Samuel 3:25, 2 Kings 19:27, Psalms 121:8

I have not: 1 Samuel 29:3

the lords favour: etc. Heb. thou art not good in the eyes of the lords, Genesis 16:6, Joshua 22:30, *marg.

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:20 - General Judges 16:5 - the lords 1 Samuel 29:2 - the lords 1 Samuel 30:15 - Swear 1 Kings 18:10 - the Lord 1 Kings 21:2 - seem good to thee

Verse 7

displease: Heb. do not evil in the eyes of the lords, Numbers 22:34

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:17 - Go 1 Samuel 29:2 - the lords Acts 16:36 - and go

Verse 8

But what have: 1 Samuel 12:3, 1 Samuel 17:29, 1 Samuel 20:8, 1 Samuel 26:18

with: Heb. before

that I may not: 1 Samuel 28:2, 2 Samuel 16:18, 2 Samuel 16:19, Psalms 34:13, Psalms 34:14, Matthew 6:13

Verse 9

as an angel: 2 Samuel 14:17, 2 Samuel 14:20, 2 Samuel 19:27, Galatians 4:14

the princes: 1 Samuel 29:4

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 19:3 - but the princes Jeremiah 38:5 - for

Verse 10

1 Samuel 30:1, 1 Samuel 30:2, Genesis 22:14, Psalms 37:23, Psalms 37:24, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Peter 2:9

Verse 11

And the Philistines: 1 Samuel 29:1, Joshua 19:18, 2 Samuel 4:4

Jezreel: Jezreel, or Esdrelon, was a city of Issachar, afterwards celebrated as the residence of the kings of Israel, delightfully situated in the extensive and fertile plain of the same name, which extends from Scythopolis or Bethshan on the east to mount Carmel on the west. Eusebius and Jerome inform us, that it was in their time a place of considerable consequence, lying between Scythopolis on the east and Legio on the west; and the latter - on Hosea 1:1-11. informs us that it was pretty near Maximianopolis. The Jerusalem Itinerary places it ten miles west from Scythopolis; and William of Tyre says it was called Little Gerinum in his time, and that there was a fine fountain in it, whose waters fell into the Jordan near Scythopolis. See note on 1 Samuel 29:1.

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 30:1 - were come 1 Chronicles 12:20 - As he went