1 Samuel 29:2
1 Samuel 29:2 in Multiple Translations
As the Philistine leaders marched out their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish.
And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands; and David and his men passed on in the rearward with Achish.
And the lords of the Philistines went on with their hundreds and their thousands, and David and his men came after with Achish.
The Philistine rulers were marching out in their divisions of hundreds and thousands with David and his men at the rear with King Achish.
And the princes of the Philistims went foorth by hundreths and thousandes, but Dauid and his men came behinde with Achish.
and the princes of the Philistines are passing on by hundreds, and by thousands, and David and his men are passing on in the rear with Achish.
The lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds and by thousands; and David and his men passed on in the rear with Achish.
And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rear with Achish.
And the lords of the Philistines marched with their hundreds and their thousands: but David and his men were in the rear with Achis.
The kings of Philistia divided their men into groups; some groups had 100 soldiers and some groups had 1,000 soldiers. David and his men were marching behind, with King Achish.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 29:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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1 Samuel 29:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/סַרְנֵ֤י
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
עֹֽבְרִ֔ים
לְ/מֵא֖וֹת
וְ/לַ/אֲלָפִ֑ים
וְ/דָוִ֣ד
וַ/אֲנָשָׁ֗י/ו
עֹֽבְרִ֛ים
בָּ/אַחֲרֹנָ֖ה
עִם
אָכִֽישׁ
וְ/סַרְנֵ֤י
çeren
H5633
lord
Conj | N-mp
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
Philistines
Ngmpa
עֹֽבְרִ֔ים
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
V-Qal
לְ/מֵא֖וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Prep | Adj
וְ/לַ/אֲלָפִ֑ים
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Conj | Prep | Adj
וְ/דָוִ֣ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
Conj | N-proper
וַ/אֲנָשָׁ֗י/ו
ʼîysh
H376
man
Conj | N-mp | Suff
עֹֽבְרִ֛ים
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
V-Qal
בָּ/אַחֲרֹנָ֖ה
ʼachărôwn
H314
last
Prep | Adj
עִם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep
אָכִֽישׁ
ʼĂkîysh
H397
Achish
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 29:2
וְ/סַרְנֵ֤י
çeren
H5633
"lord"
Conj | N-mp
An axle was a rod that connected wheels together, but it can also mean a peer or equal. In the Bible, this word is used to describe something that holds things together. The axle of a wheel was crucial for its function and stability.
Definition: lord, ruler, tyrant
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: lord, plate. See also: Joshua 13:3; 1 Samuel 6:4; 1 Chronicles 12:20.
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
"Philistines"
Ngmpa
A Philistine is a person from the region of Philistia, which was inhabited by immigrants from other places. The Philistines were known for their conflicts with the Israelites, as recorded in the Bible. They were a distinct ethnic group.
Definition: Philistine = "immigrants" an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan Another name of ga.dol (גָּדוֹל "Great( Sea)" H1419J)
Usage: Occurs in 244 OT verses. KJV: Philistine. See also: Genesis 10:14; 1 Samuel 17:8; 1 Chronicles 10:1.
עֹֽבְרִ֔ים
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
V-Qal
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
לְ/מֵא֖וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Prep | Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
וְ/לַ/אֲלָפִ֑ים
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Conj | Prep | Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
וְ/דָוִ֣ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
Conj | N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
וַ/אֲנָשָׁ֗י/ו
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
עֹֽבְרִ֛ים
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
V-Qal
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
בָּ/אַחֲרֹנָ֖ה
ʼachărôwn
H314
"last"
Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word means last or western, and can refer to something that is behind or following something else. It is used in the Bible to describe things that are late or last in time or location.
Definition: 1) behind, following, subsequent, western 1a) behind, hindermost, western (of location) 1b) later, subsequent, latter, last (of time)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: after (-ward), to come, following, hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter) most. See also: Genesis 33:2; 2 Chronicles 28:26; Psalms 48:14.
עִם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
אָכִֽישׁ
ʼĂkîysh
H397
"Achish"
N-proper
Achish was a Philistine king who lived during the time of the United Monarchy in Israel. He is mentioned in 1 Samuel and Psalm 34, also known as Abimelech.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.21.10; son of: Maoch (H4582); also called Abimelech (NIV: Abimelek) at Psa.34.1; Also named: a.vi.me.lekh (אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ "Abimelech" H0040I) § Achish = "I will blacken (or terrify)" or "only a man" Philistine king of Gath
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: Achish. See also: 1 Samuel 21:11; 1 Samuel 27:12; 1 Kings 2:40.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 29:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 29:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 29:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 29:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 29:2
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 29:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 29:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 29:2
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 29:2
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 29:2
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 29:2
Context — The Philistines Reject David
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?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 28:1–2 | Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.” David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” “Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.” |
| 2 | Joshua 13:3 | from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north (considered to be Canaanite territory)—that of the five Philistine rulers of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron, as well as that of the Avvites; |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 29:6–7 | 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.” |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 6:4 | “What guilt offering should we send back to Him?” asked the Philistines. “Five gold tumors and five gold rats,” they said, “according to the number of rulers of the Philistines, since the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 5:8–11 | So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” “It must be moved to Gath,” they replied. So they carried away the ark of the God of Israel. But after they had moved the ark to Gath, the LORD’s hand was also against that city, throwing it into great confusion and afflicting the men of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors. So they sent the ark of God to Ekron, but as it arrived, the Ekronites cried out, “They have brought us the ark of the God of Israel in order to kill us and our people!” Then the Ekronites assembled all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel. It must return to its place, so that it will not kill us and our people!” For a deadly confusion had pervaded the city; the hand of God was heavy upon it. |
1 Samuel 29:2 Summary
In 1 Samuel 29:2, we see David and his men marching with the Philistines, which may seem strange since the Philistines were Israel's enemies. However, David had defected to the Philistines and was living among them, as seen in 1 Samuel 27:1-7. This verse shows that David was committed to his alliance with the Philistines, at least for the time being, and it sets the stage for the events that will unfold in the following verses. As we reflect on this verse, we can learn about the importance of loyalty and commitment, even in difficult situations, and we can apply these lessons to our own lives, as seen in verses like 1 Samuel 20:14-17 and Romans 12:2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was David marching with the Philistines in 1 Samuel 29:2?
David was marching with the Philistines because he had defected to them and was living among them, as seen in 1 Samuel 27:1-7, and Achish, the king of Gath, had given him the town of Ziklag to live in, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 27:6.
What does it mean that the Philistine leaders marched out their units of hundreds and thousands?
This phrase describes the Philistine army's organizational structure, with each unit consisting of hundreds or thousands of soldiers, similar to the way the Israelite army was organized, as seen in Exodus 18:21 and Deuteronomy 1:15.
Who is Achish and why is he mentioned in this verse?
Achish is the king of Gath, a Philistine city, and he is mentioned in this verse because he is the one who allowed David to live among the Philistines and is now marching with him, as seen in 1 Samuel 27:2-3 and 1 Samuel 29:2.
What is the significance of David and his men marching behind the Philistines?
The significance of David and his men marching behind the Philistines is that it shows David's commitment to his alliance with Achish and the Philistines, and it also sets the stage for the events that will unfold in the following verses, as seen in 1 Samuel 29:3-4 and 1 Samuel 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- What would it have been like for David to be marching with the Philistines, his former enemies, and how would he have felt about this situation?
- How does this verse relate to the broader story of David's life and his relationship with God, as seen in verses like Psalm 23:4 and 1 Samuel 30:6?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of loyalty and commitment, even in difficult situations, as seen in verses like 1 Samuel 20:14-17 and 2 Samuel 9:1-8?
- How can we apply the lessons from this verse to our own lives, particularly in situations where we may feel like we are marching with the 'wrong' group or going against our own values, as seen in verses like Romans 12:2 and 1 Corinthians 15:33?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 29:2
And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands,.... Not that there were so many lords, for there were but five of them; but these marched, some at the head of hundreds with
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 29:2
And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 29:2
i.e. As the life-guard of Achish, as he had promised, , Achish being, as it seems, the general of the army.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 29:2
1 Samuel 29:2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.Ver. 2. Passed on by hundreds, and by thousands.] Lustrabrant exercitum, they made a general muster, and took a view of their forces, by their several companies, regiments, and brigades. In the rereward with Achish.] Whom they had chosen general; wherefore also he brought up the rear, having David and his men for his bodyguard, which the Philistines as much stomached as the French ever did their king’ s guard of Scots.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 29:2
(2) And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands.—The orderly advance of this great military nation is thus described. The “lords” a different term to the expression “princes.” There were apparently in the Philistine federation five sovereign princes, of whom Achish of Gath was one. Beneath these were other chieftains, who seemingly had great control over the sovereign princes. David and his men.—David, in return for the lands round Ziklag given him by the King of Gath, seems to have owed a kind of military service to his suzerain Achish. The difference in the arms and equipment of the Israelitish warriors in the division of David, which was marching under the standard of Gath, no doubt excited questions. The general appearance of the Hebrews was, of course, well known to their hereditary Philistine foes.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 29:2
Verse 2. By hundreds, and by thousands] They were probably divided, as the Jewish armies, by fifties, hundreds, and thousands; each having its proper officer or captain.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 29:2
2. And the lords, &c.] Render, Now the lords … were passing on. The narrative now goes back to a point of time during the march of the Philistine army northwards, probably soon after the junction of the confederate forces from the different cities of the league. It must have been after they had passed the Philistine frontier, as David “returned into the land of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 29:11), but soon after, as he reached Ziklag on the third day (1 Samuel 30:1). the lords] For the special title Seren translated “lord” see on ch. 1 Samuel 5:8. They were marching at the head of “the hundreds and the thousands” which were the military divisions of the army. the rereward] The rear-guard, ward and guard being related as wise and guise, Cp. Isaiah 52:12.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 29:2
The lords - See Judges 3:3 note, as distinguished from ordinary “princes” 1 Samuel 29:3. The military divisions of the Philistine army were by hundreds and by thousands, like those of the Israelites 1 Samuel 8:12.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 29:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Dilemma of the Disobedient by Theodore Epp | Theodore Epp discusses the dilemma faced by David as he becomes a bodyguard to Achish, king of Gath, which leads him into conflict with his own people, the Israelites. Epp highligh |