1 Samuel 29

1 Now the Philistines [a non-Semitic people, immigrants from other places] brought all [every single one, the entire] their forces [armies, military might] together at Aphek [a city, an enclosure], while Israel [God’s chosen people, descendants of Jacob] camped [pitched their tents, encamped] by the spring [a fountain, a source of water] in Jezreel [a city, a place of God’s nurture]. word study 2 As the Philistine [immigrant] leaders [lords, rulers] marched out their units of hundreds [large groups] and thousands [a multitude], David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] and his men [individuals, male persons] marched behind them [in the rear, following] with Achish [a Philistine king, the ruler of Gath]. word study 3 Then the commanders [rulers, princes] of the Philistines asked, “What about these [specific] Hebrews [descendants of Eber]?” Achish replied, “Is this not David [the beloved king], the servant [slave, bondservant] of King Saul [Shaul, the desired one] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, representing his descendants]? He has been with me all these days [or years, a long period of time], even years [a prolonged period], and from the day he defected [fell away, turned against] until today I have found no fault [nothing wrong, no error] in him [as a person, in his character].” word study 4 But the commanders [rulers, princes] of the Philistines were angry [furious, wrathful] with Achish and told him, “Send that man [David, the king’s servant] back and let him return to the place [location, city] you assigned him. He must not go down [descend, march] with us into battle [war, conflict] only to become our adversary [enemy, opponent] during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor [approval, acceptance] of his master [lord, king] than with the heads [lives, scalps] of our men? word study 5 Is this [not the one they have in mind] not the David [the beloved king, a man after God’s heart] about whom they sing [praise, make music] in their dances [celebratory movements, joyful expressions]: ‘Saul has slain [struck down, defeated] his thousands [a large number, a multitude], and David [the future king, the anointed one] his tens of thousands’?” word study 6 So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] lives, you have been upright [straight, just, having integrity] in my sight, and it seems right that you should march in and out with me in the army [as a loyal companion, in the host], because I have found no fault [evil, wrongdoing] in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you have no favor [approval, goodwill] in the sight of the leaders [lords, princes, rulers]. word study 7 Therefore [at this point, now] turn back [return, go back] now and go [walk, proceed] in [a state of] peace [shalom, completeness and wellness], so that you will not [in no way] do anything [an evil deed] to displease [offend, cause displeasure] the leaders [lords, princes] of the Philistines [the people of Philistia].” word study 8 “But what [why or how] have I done [committed or omitted]?” David replied. “What [what fault or offense] have you found [discovered or detected] against your servant [bondservant or slave], from the day [since the time] I came to you until today [this present day], to keep me from going [to prevent me from proceeding] along to fight [to wage war or engage in battle] against the enemies [adversaries or foes] of my lord [master or sovereign] the king [ruler or monarch]?” word study 9 Achish replied, “I know [have come to understand, am aware] that you are as pleasing [good, delightful] in my sight [in my estimation, before me] as an angel [messenger, representative] of God [Elohim, the supreme Creator]. But the commanders [rulers, leaders] of the Philistines have said, ‘He must not go [shall not ascend, cannot rise] into battle [to the war, into combat] with us [together with us, in our company].’ word study 10 Now [at this moment, in this present time] then, get up [rise early, to start the day] early in the morning [at the break of day, when light begins], along with your master’s [lord, one who has authority over you] servants [those who serve, attend, or obey] who came with you, and go [depart, to walk or move away] as soon as it is light [when there is sufficient illumination, or understanding].” word study 11 So David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] and his men [individuals, males] got up [to rise, as in loading a burden] early [at the break of day] in the morning [the time of new beginnings] to return [to turn back, to go back] to the land [the soil, ground, or territory] of the Philistines [people from the region of Philistia, immigrants from other places]. And the Philistines [inhabitants of Philistia] went up [to ascend, to rise] to Jezreel [the city where God sows, nurtures growth]. word study