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1 Samuel 29:2

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 29:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now the Philistines gathered together all their hosts to Aphek: and the Israelites encamped by the fountain which is in Jezreel.
2And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands; and David and his men passed on in the rearward with Achish.
3Then 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?
4But he princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us: for wherewith should this [fellow] reconcile himself unto his lord? should it not be with the heads of these men?
5Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands?
← 1 Samuel 29:11 Samuel 29:3 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands, etc.] Not that there were so many lords, for there were but five of them; but these marched, some at the head of hundreds with them, and others at the head of thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish; who being the generalissimo brought up the rear, and David, whom he had appointed captain of his bodyguards, attended him with his men, which in point of gratitude he could not refuse; and yet was in the greatest strait and difficulty how to act, it being both against his conscience and his interest to fight against Israel, and was waiting and hoping for some appearance of Providence to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish--as the commander of the lifeguards of Achish, who was general of this invading army of the Philistines.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The lords - See Judges 3:3 note, 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 body-guard to Achish 1 Samuel 28:2. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“With Achish - As the life - guard of Achish. Achish being, as it seems, the general of the army. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 29:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the lords: Sa1 29:6, Sa1 29:7, Sa1 5:8-11, Sa1 6:4; Jos 13:3 but David: Sa1 28:1, Sa1 28:2 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 29:3”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 29 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification