Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 29
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 29
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Samuel 29
"Now the Philistines gathered together all their hosts to Aphek: and the Israelites encamped by the fountain which is in Jezreel." — 1 Samuel 29:1 (ASV)
A fountain - This is probably the fine spring of Ain-Jalud. It is impossible to say what specific circumstances led to the conflict between Israel and the Philistines taking place so far north in the plain of Jezreel. It was possibly connected with movements of the Aramean tribes to the north of Palestine (See 2 Samuel 8).
"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." — 1 Samuel 29:2 (ASV)
The lords - See the note on Judges 3:3, 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). David and his men formed a bodyguard for Achish (1 Samuel 28:2).
"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, who hath been with me these days, or [rather] these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away [unto me] unto this day?" — 1 Samuel 29:3 (ASV)
He fell to me - The regular word for deserting and going over to the other side. See Jeremiah 37:13; Jeremiah 38:19.
"Then Achish called David, and said unto him, As Jehovah liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight; for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favor thee not." — 1 Samuel 29:6 (ASV)
As the Lord liveth — It seems strange for a Philistine to swear by Yahweh. However, it is likely that the general meaning of this and similar speeches has been preserved, rather than the exact wording.
"And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been before thee unto this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" — 1 Samuel 29:8 (ASV)
See 1 Samuel 29:10 note.
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