Ch. 1 Samuel 29:1-5. The Philistine lords’ distrust of David

1. Now the Philistines, &c. The narrative of 1 Samuel 28:1-2 is resumed, with a further description of the positions of the armies before the battle.

Aphek] This cannot be the Aphek of 1 Samuel 4:1, in the neighbourhood of Bethhoron, for in that case there would be no reason to account for Saul’s army being already encamped at Jezreel. Possibly it is to be identified with Fûleh, about two miles to the W. of Shunem: or, as Lieut. Conder thinks, with Fukûa, 6 miles S.E. of Jezreel. In the latter case, the Philistines had shifted their camp from Shunem, and turned the strong position of Jezreel on the side where it is most assailable: but this seems less probable, and does not agree with the account of the flight of the Israelites to Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:1).

a fountain which is in Jezreel] “The fountain in Jezreel” was probably the present Ain Jâlûd, less than two miles E.S.E. of Zerîn. “It is a very large fountain, flowing out from under a sort of cavern in the wall of conglomerate rock, which here forms the base of Gilboa. It spreads out at once into a fine limpid pool, forty or fifty feet in diameter. A stream sufficient to turn a mill flows off eastwards down the valley.” Robinson, Bibl. Res. II. 323. It may have been the identical “spring of Harod” at which Gideon tested his men (Jdg 7:1 ff.). The modern name of Jezreel is Zerîn: the feeble initial j (y) having been dropped, and the termination el changed to în, as in Beitîn for Bethel.

Jezreel was a strong and central position. It stood upon the brow of a steep rocky descent of at least 100 feet to the N.E., at the opening of the middle branch of the three eastern forks of the plain of Esdraelon, commanding the broad and fertile valley which slopes eastward to the Jordan, and all the extent of the great plain reaching westward to the long blue ridge of Carmel. See Robinson, Bibl. Res. II. 318 ff. Jezreel was the favourite residence of Ahab (1 Kings 21:1 ff.); there Jezebel established a temple of Astarte with 400 priests (1 Kings 18:19); here was enacted the tragedy of Naboth’s judicial murder (1 Kings 21:13); and here Jezebel met with her end (2 Kings 9:30 ff.).

2. And the lords, &c.] Render, Now the lords … were passing on. The narrative now goes back to a point of time during the march of the Philistine army northwards, probably soon after the junction of the confederate forces from the different cities of the league. It must have been after they had passed the Philistine frontier, as David “returned into the land of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 29:11), but soon after, as he reached Ziklag on the third day (1 Samuel 30:1).

the lords] For the special title Seren translated “lord” see on ch. 1 Samuel 5:8. They were marching at the head of “the hundreds and the thousands” which were the military divisions of the army.

the rereward] The rear-guard, ward and guard being related as wise and guise, Cp. Isaiah 52:12.

3. princes] The Hebrew equivalent for the special title Seren rendered lord.

Hebrews] See on 1 Samuel 4:6.

these days, or these years] Lit. “now days (= a year) or now years,’ i.e. for a considerable time, sufficient to test his fidelity. Cp. 1 Samuel 27:7.

since he fell unto me] i.e. deserted and came over to me. Cp. 1 Chronicles 12:19-20.

4. this fellow] Simply, “the man:” but below, “wherewith should this fellow make himself acceptable unto his master? should it not be with the heads of those men?” Pointing to the troops marching past.

5. of whom they sang] “Of whom they sing one to another in the dances;” i.e. in popular songs at festivals. See on 1 Samuel 21:11.

6–11. David dismissed from the army

6. as the Lord liveth] Either the exact wording of the speech is due to the historian, or Achish, to convince David of his sincerity, swears by the God of Israel.

thou hast been upright] Better, thou art upright.

thy going out, &c.] Thy company in this expedition would please me, for I have always found thee a faithful ally.

8. And David said, &c.] A hypocritical answer, designed to confirm Achish in the belief of his fidelity. Compare David’s previous conduct (ch. 1 Samuel 27:10-12). But David can scarcely have intended to fight against his countrymen, and must have inwardly rejoiced that God had delivered him out of so perplexing a dilemma.

9. I know that, &c.] Better, I know it, for, &c.

as an angel of God] Cp. 2 Samuel 14:17; 2 Samuel 14:20; 2 Samuel 19:27. The Sept. (B) omits the words.

10. with thy master’s servants] Achish speaks of David’s men as Saul’s subjects, in view of the objection which has been made to their presence in the army.

with thee] After these words the Sept. (A B) adds: “And go ye unto the place which I have appointed you; and lay not up any evil thought in thine heart, for thou art good in my sight.”

11. to Jezreel] The Sept. reading (A B) “to fight against Israel” is plausible.