1 Samuel 29:1,1 Samuel 29:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:1-5

Here is, I. The great strait that David was in, which we may suppose he himself was aware of, though we read not of his asking advice from God, nor of any project of his own to get clear of it. The two armies of the Philistines and the Israelites were encamped and ready to engage, 1 Sam. 29:1. Achish, who had been kind to David, had obliged him to come himself and bring the forces he had into his service. David came accordingly, and, upon a review of the army, was found with Achish, in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:1

Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek ,.... Not the city in the tribe of Judah of that name, Joshua 15:53 ; where the Philistines had a camp in the time of Samuel, 1 Samuel 4:1 ; but rather that in the tribe of Asher, Joshua 19:30 ; unless there was one of this name in the tribe of Issachar, not mentioned, since it seems to have been near Jezreel and Shunem, which were both in that tribe, Joshua 19:18 , and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 29:1

To Aphek - This was a place in the valley of Jezreel, between Mounts Tabor and Gilboa. Pitched by a fountain - To be near a fountain, or copious spring of water, was a point of great importance to an army in countries such as these, where water was so very scarce. It is supposed, as William of Tyre says, that it was at this same fountain that Saladin pitched his camp, while Baldwin, king of Jerusalem, pitched his by another fountain between Nazareth and Sephoris; each being... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:1

DAVID 'S DISMISSAL FROM THE PHILISTINE CAMP ( 1 Samuel 29:1-11 .). EXPOSITION MARCH OF THE PHILISTINE ARMY ( 1 Samuel 29:1-5 ). The Philistines gathered, etc. The narrative, broken off for the description of Saul's abasement, is again resumed from 1 Samuel 28:1 . Aphek . As we saw on 1 Samuel 4:1 , this word, signifying a fortress, is a very common name for places. If it was the Aphek in Judah there mentioned, David's dismissal would have taken... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:1-5

The counteractions of Providence. The facts are— 1 . The Philistines make preparations for battle, and David and his men form the rear. 2 . On the princes complaining of the presence of the Hebrews, Achish pleads the faithfulness of David. 3 . The princes insist on the dismissal of David and his men to a safe quarter, being suspicious that he might in battle turn against them. The conduct of David, as recorded in 1 Samuel 27:1-12 ; now began to be embarrassing both to himself... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:1-11

Achish. David had, in the course of his life, friendly relations with several heathen princes. One of these was Achish (elsewhere called Abimelech, Psalms 34:1-22 ; inscription), son of Maoch, and king of Gath, one of the five royal cities, the seats of the princes of the Philistine confederacy. What is recorded of him shows that he was a remarkable man. Whilst Saul persecuted David, Achish protected him; and whilst the former, in the midst of Israel, "with the law" of Moses, committed... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 29:1

A fountain - Probably, the fine spring Ain-Jalud. It is impossible to say what the special circumstances were which led to the struggle between Israel and the Philistines taking place so far north as the plain of Jezreel. Possibly it was connected with some movements of the Aramaic tribes to the north of Palestine. See 2 Samuel 8:0. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 29:1-2

1 Samuel 29:1-2. The Philistines gathered, the Israelites pitched Or rather, had gathered, had pitched; for we are informed in the foregoing chapter that the Philistines were come to Shunen, and it is probable David’s departure from their army was prior to Saul’s consulting the woman at Endor. The lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, &c. When they took a view of their army, the great men appeared, some at the head of a hundred, some of a thousand soldiers. David and his... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:1-11

Another Philistine-Israelite war (28:1-29:11)When the Philistines set out to attack Israel, Achish made David and his troops his personal bodyguard (28:1-2). Back in Israel, Saul was terrified. He asked God what he should do, but God refused to show him (3-6). So he went to a woman who consulted the spirits of the dead, hoping that through her he could get directions from Samuel (7-14).Samuel spoke to Saul from the world of the dead, but he gave him neither comfort nor help. He merely confirmed... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 29:1

GOD'S RESCUE OF DAVID FROM THE ARMY OF ACHISH"Now the Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek; and the Israelites were encamped by the fountain which is in Jezreel. As the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear with Achish, the commanders of the Philistines said, "What are these Hebrews doing here"? And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, "Is not this David, the servant of Saul, king of... read more

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