Keraia
1 Samuel 29

1 Samuel 29:3

The Philistines Reject David · 1 Samuel 29:1–11
Read 1 Samuel 29

Translations

Modern
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.”
Traditional
Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
Literal
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, even these years? And I have not found in him anything from the day of his falling up to this day.”
Latin
Dixeruntque principes Philisthiim ad Achis: Quid sibi volunt Hebræi isti? Et ait Achis ad principes Philisthiim: Num ignoratis David, qui fuit servus Saul regis Israël, et est apud me multis diebus, vel annis, et non inveni in eo quidquam ex die qua transfugit ad me usque ad diem hanc?

Original

Hebrew
English
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.”

Notes

1 Samuel 29:3

  • the servant of King Saul of Israel: To Achish, David appeared to be a valuable defector (someone who had left his former king). The other Philistine rulers were suspicious. They feared that David was a spy who planned to attack them from inside their defenses.

  • found no fault in him: This was the first of three times Achish defended David (see also 1 Samuel 29:6, 9). However, David had been deceiving Achish the entire time (see 1 Samuel 27:1–12).

1 Samuel 29:1–11

God's help saved David from having to fight his own people.

Theme notes and profiles

David Saul The Philistines

Events

People

Achish: Philistine king of Gath, gave refuge to David David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Hebrews: An ethnic group descended from Abraham Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Places

Philistia: An ancient people and region in Canaan

Glossary

David Philistia, Philistines Samuel, Books of First and Second Shunem Valley of Jezreel

Topics

Hebrew: Applied to And his Descendants Integrity: David, in his Conduct While in Refuge with the Philistines The Philistines: David: Distrusted By