UNROLL
First light at the springs of Aphek: still, reed-lined pools mirroring the dawn, a low mound with a plain-walled town, and along the far bank the pale tents of a great army camp, small with distance, under a calm pale sky.

The Book of

1 Samuel 29

David is marching with the Philistines against Israel. Only God can get him out of this.

11 verses≈ 3 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

Tap any post to go deeper

In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–7SamuelA boy who listened
  2. 8–15SaulA king like the nations
  3. 16–20David risesThe LORD looks at the heart
  4. 21–27David huntedThe anointed one waits
  5. 28–31Saul fallsEndor and GilboaChapter 29

The Philistines Reject David

Morning on the coastal plain: column after column of Philistine soldiers with feathered headdresses and round shields marching past in dust, and at the very back, seen from behind, a band of Israelite men following a Philistine king.

Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. As the Philistine leaders marched out with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish.

0:14

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

The Philistines

Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”

Achish

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.”

The Philistines

But 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? Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances:

‘Saul has slain his thousands,

and David his tens of thousands’?”

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands

Question

Quick question

Achish vouched for David, but the Philistine commanders would not have him in the battle line.

Why did the Philistine commanders send David back?

Evening among the tents of the Philistine camp: Achish, a clean-shaven king in a fine fringed robe, speaking earnestly to David, while a few Philistine commanders with feathered headdresses watch with folded arms.

So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright, and it seems right in my sight 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 are not good 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.”

David

“But what have I done?”

David replied.

David

“What have you found against your servant, from the day I came to you until today, to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”

Achish

Achish replied, “I know that you are as pleasing in my sight as an angel of God. But the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go into battle with us.’ Now then, get up early in the morning, along with your master’s servants who came with you, and go as soon as it is light.”

So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

Reflect

“Go in peace”

God used suspicious enemies to close a door David had walked into himself. Think of a door that closed on you, a plan that fell through or a ‘no’ you didn’t want. Write it down. How might God have been protecting you?

You’ve experienced

1 Samuel 29

0 of 31 chapters read

A verse to carry with you

So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 29:11

or swipe left