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1 Samuel 29:5

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 29:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Is 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 29:5 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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?
6Then 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.
7Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
8And 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 29:41 Samuel 29:6 →
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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
“[Is] not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, etc.] Long ago: saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands; so that he is an old sworn enemy of ours; and the more valiant and victorious he has been, the less is he to be trusted, (see <091807>1 Samuel 18:7 21:11).”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“29:5 This jingle referred to slain Philistines (18:7). It is remarkable that David could find refuge in their midst.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Sa1 18:6, Sa1 18:7, Sa1 21:11; Pro 27:14 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 29:6”
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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