Глава 29

David's stay in the Philistine camp. The Philistine princes distrusted him. Return of David to Sakelag. 1 Samuel 29:1. And the Philistines gathered together all their armies in Aphek, and the Israelites encamped at the spring that is in Jezreel. Aphek is a high area northwest of Sodom. The lowland area of ​​Jezreel is west of Gilboa, south of Aphek. Thus, during Saul's absence from Endor, the positions of the warring parties changed to the obvious disadvantage of the Jews: the Philistines retreated a little to the north and took up an elevated position; The Jews, leaving the heights of Gilboa, descended to the neighboring lowland. 1 Samuel 29:2. The Philistine princes walked with hundreds and thousands, but David and his men walked behind with Achish. The Philistine princes are the rulers of individual Philistine regions subject to Achish. See note. to 1 Samuel 6:17. 1 Samuel 29:4. And the princes of the Philistines were indignant at him, and the princes of the Philistines said to him: Let this man go, let him sit in his place which you have appointed for him, so that he does not go with us to war and does not become our adversary in war. How can he appease his master if not with the heads of these men? 1 Samuel 29:5. Isn’t this the same David to whom they sang in round dances, saying: “Saul killed thousands, and David tens of thousands”? The decisive distrust of the Philistine princes towards the valiant conqueror of the Philistines and the faithful servant of Saul, David, helped the latter to get out of his extremely delicate position in the camp of the enemies of the Jewish people. 1 Samuel 29:8. But David said to Achish: What have I done, and what have you found in your servant from the time I was before you until this day, why should I not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king? 1 Samuel 29:9. And Achish answered David: Be sure that in my eyes you are as good as an Angel of God; but the princes of the Philistines said, “Let him not go to war with us.” 1 Samuel 29:10. So get up in the morning, you and your master's servants who came with you, [and go to the place that I have appointed for you, and have no evil thought in your heart, for you are good before me]; and get up in the morning, and when it is light, go. A conversation that confirmed David that Achish personally did not have any distrust towards him and that he could calmly return to Ziklag, which sheltered him (1 Sam. 27). “Go to the place that I have appointed for you,” i.e. to the city of Ziklag. You might be interested in: