P s 1,2-. Philistines. Assembly.
t -2. David's junction.
s 3-10. Philistine's. Objection.
t 11. David's return.
960 B.C.
1 Samuel 29)
1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek (= strength): and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel. (This is were the battle in the end-time will take place.)
2 And the princes (see Josh. 13:3) of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: (The troops were like flies.)
but David and his men passed on in the rearward with Achish (= angry).
3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, "What do these Hebrews here?" And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, "Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which has been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away (or, departed) to me unto this day?" (God's hand was in this sparring David from fighting his brothers)
4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said to him, "Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which you have 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 to 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?' " (They are saying David is a darn brave man.)
6 Then Achish called David, and said to him, "Surely, as the LORD (Yahaveh) lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me unto this day: nevertheless you are not good in the eyes of the princes.
7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that you displease not the lords of the Philistines."
8 And David said to Achish, "But what have I done? and what have you found in your servant so long as I have been before you unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" (David is being a little slippery here.)
9 And Achish answered and said to David, "I know that you are good in my sight, as a messenger of God (Elohim): notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.'
10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with your master's servants (Sept. reads, "you, and the servants of your lord". Probably the Manassites named in 1 Chron. 12:19,20, who deserted to David) that are come with you [and depart to the place where I appointed you, and entertain no evil thought in your heart, for you are good in my sight] (Sept. adds): and as soon as you be up early in the morning, and have light, depart."
11 So David, he and his men (as in v.2) rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.