3. these days, or these years—He had now been with the Philistines a full year and four months ( :-), and also some years before. It has been thought that David kept up a private correspondence with this Philistine prince, either on account of his native generosity, or in the anticipation that an asylum in his territories would sooner or later be needed. read more
The Philistine commanders’ fear of David 29:1-5The lords or commanders of the Philistine city-states mustered their troops and marched north to the town of Aphek. It is interesting that the first place the Philistines mustered their troops for battle against the Israelites in this book was at Aphek (1 Samuel 4:1), and the last place they did so that the writer recorded was also at Aphek. This indicates that Israel had not subdued her neighbor enemy effectively during Saul’s reign because of his... read more
Yahweh’s providential protection of David ch. 29As Saul reached the depth of his fortunes, David attained the height of his popularity thus far. This chapter seems to antedate the previous one slightly. The writer appears to have incorporated it in his narrative here to highlight the contrasts between Saul and David in chapters 27-31. read more
David Disallowed from Fighting with the Philistines1. Jezreel] the plain between Gilboa and Little Hermon. 3. He fell unto me] i.e. ’deserted to me.’4. An adversary] Heb. satan. Satan, the evil spirit, is always entitled ’the Satan,’ i.e. the Adversary (Job 1, 2; Zechariah 3:1).6. As the lord liveth] Achish would recognise that Jehovah was the national god of Israel and that He existed as well as Dagon (cp. 1 Kings 17:12).11. The Philistines went up to Jezreel] The Philistines could not attack... read more
(3) These days, or these years.—An indefinite expression of time. The versions have translated it in various ways. The English Version here is literal. The Syrlac singularly renders, “this time, and time, and months.” The LXX. is not very easy to understand here, but it apparently took the expression as signifying “two years.” Maurer would translate, “who has been with me alway, for days, or rather for years.” read more
CHAPTER XXXIIIDAVID’S SECOND FLIGHT TO GATH.1 Samuel 27:1-12; 1 Samuel 28:1-2; 1 Samuel 29:1-11.WE are not prepared for the sad decline in the spirit of trust which is recorded in the beginning of the twenty-seventh chapter. The victory gained by David over the carnal spirit of revenge, shown so signally in his sparing the life of Saul a second time, would have led us to expect that he would never again fall under the influence of carnal fear. But there are strange ebbs and flows in the... read more
8. David and Achish and Ziklag Destroyed and Avenged CHAPTER 29 1. The objections of the Philistine lords (1 Samuel 29:1-5 ) 2. Achish dismisses David (1 Samuel 29:6-11 ) While David’s enemy, Saul, heard his coming doom, David was still with the enemies of God’s people. The Philistines were gathered against Israel and David was with Achish ready to fight against the Lord’s people. The lords of the Philistines however object to his presence. They still remember the song of bygone days and... read more
29:3 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, {b} or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell [unto me] unto this day?(b) Meaning, a long time, that is, four months and certain days, 1 Samuel 27:7. read more
The events of this chapter apparently took place before Saul's visit to the witch of En-dor, for Saul was killed the day following that visit (ch.28:19), and the battle in which he was killed did not take place until after David's defeat of the Amalekites recorded in chapter 30:16-20. In verse 1 the Philistines and Israel are seen preparing for battle. As the armies were marching in their various units, David and his men are seen marching with Achish. This alarms the leaders of the... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 29:3
1 Samuel 29:3. These days, or these years— Long enough, even two years. Houb. read more