CHAPTER XXIX _The Philistines gather their armies together against Israel,_ _and encamp at Aphek; while the Israelites encamp at Jezreel_, 1. _The lords of the Philistines refuse to let David go to battle_ _with them, lest he should betray them_, 2-5. _Achish expresses his confidence in David;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 29:2. _BY HUNDREDS, AND BY THOUSANDS_] They were probably divided, as the Jewish armies, by _fifties, hundreds_, and _thousands_; each having its proper officer or captain.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 29:3. _THESE DAYS, OR THESE YEARS_] I suppose these words to mark no _definite time_, and may be understood thus: "Is not this David, who has been with me for a considerable time?... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 29:4. _THE PRINCES OF THE PHILISTINES WERE WROTH_] It is strange that they had not yet heard of David's destruction of a village of the Geshurites, Gezrites, and Amalekites, 1 Samuel 27:8. Had they heard of this, they would have seen much more cause for suspicion.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 29:6. _THOU HAST BEEN UPRIGHT_] So he thought, for as yet he had not heard of the above transaction; David having given him to understand that he had been fighting against Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 29:8. _DAVID SAID - WHAT HAVE I DONE?_] Dr. Chandler and others may say what they will to make David act a _consistent_ part in this business; but it is most evident, whatever his _intentions_ might be as to the part he was to take in the approaching battle, he did intend to persuade... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 29:9. _AS AN ANGEL OF GOD_] There is some reason to think that Achish had actually embraced or was favourably disposed towards the Jewish religion. He speaks here of _the angels of God_, as a Jew might be expected to speak; and in 1 Samuel 29:6 he appeals to, and swears by _Jehovah_;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 29:10. _WITH THY MASTER'S SERVANTS_] Who were these? has been very properly asked; and to this question there can be but two answers:- 1. The _six hundred Israelites_ which were with him; and who might still be considered the _subjects of SAUL_, though now residing in a foreign land.... [ Continue Reading ]