1. καὶ συναθροίζουσιν ἀλλόφυλοι πάσας τὰς παρεμβολὰς αὐτῶν εἰς Αφεκ καὶ Ισραηλ παρενέβαλεν ἐν Αενδωρ τῇ ἐν Ιεζραελ
2. καὶ σατράπαι ἀλλοφύλων παρεπορεύοντο εἰς ἑκατοντάδας καὶ χιλιάδας καὶ Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ παρεπορεύοντο ἐπ’ ἐσχάτων μετὰ Αγχους
3. καὶ εἶπον οἱ σατράπαι τῶν ἀλλοφύλων τίνες οἱ διαπορευόμενοι οὗτοι καὶ εἶπεν Αγχους πρὸς τοὺς στρατηγοὺς τῶν ἀλλοφύλων οὐχ οὗτος Δαυιδ ὁ δοῦλος Σαουλ βασιλέως Ισραηλ γέγονεν μεθ’ ἡμῶν ἡμέρας τοῦτο δεύτερον ἔτος καὶ οὐχ εὕρηκα ἐν αὐτῷ οὐθὲν ἀφ’ ἧς ἡμέρας ἐνέπεσεν πρός με καὶ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης
4. καὶ ἐλυπήθησαν ἐπ’ αὐτῷ οἱ στρατηγοὶ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ ἀπόστρεψον τὸν ἄνδρα εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ οὗ κατέστησας αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ καὶ μὴ ἐρχέσθω μεθ’ ἡμῶν εἰς τὸν πόλεμον καὶ μὴ γινέσθω ἐπίβουλος τῆς παρεμβολῆς καὶ ἐν τίνι διαλλαγήσεται οὗτος τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ οὐχὶ ἐν ταῖς κεφαλαῖς τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκείνων
5. οὐχ οὗτος Δαυιδ ᾧ ἐξῆρχον ἐν χοροῖς λέγοντες ἐπάταξεν Σαουλ ἐν χιλιάσιν αὐτοῦ καὶ Δαυιδ ἐν μυριάσιν αὐτοῦ
6. καὶ ἐκάλεσεν Αγχους τὸν Δαυιδ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ζῇ κύριος ὅτι εὐθὴς σὺ καὶ ἀγαθὸς ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου καὶ ἡ ἔξοδός σου καὶ ἡ εἴσοδός σου μετ’ ἐμοῦ ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ καὶ ὅτι οὐχ εὕρηκα κατὰ σοῦ κακίαν ἀφ’ ἧς ἡμέρας ἥκεις πρός με ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας καὶ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς τῶν σατραπῶν οὐκ ἀγαθὸς σύ
7. καὶ νῦν ἀνάστρεφε καὶ πορεύου εἰς εἰρήνην καὶ οὐ μὴ ποιήσεις κακίαν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς τῶν σατραπῶν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων
8. καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αγχους τί πεποίηκά σοι καὶ τί εὗρες ἐν τῷ δούλῳ σου ἀφ’ ἧς ἡμέρας ἤμην ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ὅτι οὐ μὴ ἔλθω πολεμῆσαι τοὺς ἐχθροὺς τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως
9. καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Αγχους πρὸς Δαυιδ οἶδα ὅτι ἀγαθὸς σὺ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου ἀλλ’ οἱ σατράπαι τῶν ἀλλοφύλων λέγουσιν οὐχ ἥξει μεθ’ ἡμῶν εἰς πόλεμον
10. καὶ νῦν ὄρθρισον τὸ πρωί σὺ καὶ οἱ παῖδες τοῦ κυρίου σου οἱ ἥκοντες μετὰ σοῦ καὶ πορεύεσθε εἰς τὸν τόπον οὗ κατέστησα ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖ καὶ λόγον λοιμὸν μὴ θῇς ἐν καρδίᾳ σου ὅτι ἀγαθὸς σὺ ἐνώπιόν μου καὶ ὀρθρίσατε ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ φωτισάτω ὑμῖν καὶ πορεύθητε
11. καὶ ὤρθρισεν Δαυιδ αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἀπελθεῖν καὶ φυλάσσειν τὴν γῆν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι ἀνέβησαν πολεμεῖν ἐπὶ Ισραηλ
Footnotes:
29:1-2 - The Philistines gather their troops for battle against Israel, and David, who is among them, is viewed with suspicion. David's alliance with Israel's enemies reflects a complex situation in which he tries to remain safe from Saul (see also 1 Samuel 27:1 and 1 Samuel 28:1-2).
29:3-5 - The Philistine princes question David's presence in the army, remembering his reputation as a warrior for Israel. David's fame as a Goliath slayer and military leader is not forgotten, even among his enemies (see also 1 Samuel 17:50-52 and 1 Samuel 18:7).
29:6-7 - Achish, king of Gath, defends David, claiming he has been loyal. However, to avoid internal conflict, Achish urges David to return home and not participate in the battle against Israel. This demonstrates Achish's diplomacy and David's skill in maintaining relations with the Philistines (see also 1 Samuel 27:8-12 and 1 Samuel 30:1-3).
29:8-9 - David questions the decision, but Achish reiterates his confidence, saying that David seems as blameless as an angel of God. This reveals the extent to which David was able to earn Achish's trust, even though he was an Israelite (see also 1 Samuel 28:1-2 and 2 Samuel 14:17).
29:10-11 - David and his men retreat, returning to Ziklag, where they would eventually face further hardships. David's departure from the battle shows how God protected him from fighting against his own people, Israel (see also 1 Samuel 30:1-3 and Psalm 34:7).
Verses related to I Samuel, 29:
1 Samuel chapter 29 narrates David's dilemma among the Philistines. How does God use even enemies to protect His anointed? This tense text describes David's rejection by Philistine leaders before the battle against Israel. The chapter explores themes of trust, reputation, and divine providence working through seemingly negative circumstances. David's integrity is questioned, but his exit from the conflict is assured. Consider with us five biblical passages that illuminate the principles of faithfulness and divine direction evidenced in this crucial chapter.
Psalms 118:6: "The Lord is with me; I will not fear. What can men do to me?" - It reflects the trust that David could have had in God, instead of depending on the protection of the Philistines.
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; acknowledge the Lord in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight." - Offers perspective on how David might have acted, trusting God rather than human alliances.
2 Corinthians 6:17: "Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch unclean things, and I will welcome you." - It relates to David's separation from the Philistines, although forced by circumstances.
Psalms 26:4-5: "I do not associate with false men, nor do I hang out with hypocrites. I hate the gathering together of evildoers, and I do not sit with the wicked." - It contrasts with David's earlier association with the Philistines and his subsequent separation.
Ephesians 5:11: "Do not participate in the fruitless works of darkness; rather, expose them to light." - Reflects on David's compromising position among the Philistines and his eventual separation from them.
FAQ:
Why did the Philistine princes reject David?
The Philistine leaders feared that David would turn against them in battle, so they demanded that Achish send him back. (1 Samuel 29:3-5)
What did Achish say to David when he sent him away?
Achish said he trusted David, but the Philistine princes did not want him in the war, so he should return to Ziklag. (1 Samuel 29:6-7)
How did David react to the Philistines' decision?
David feigned indignation and asked Achish why he could not fight, but he obeyed and returned to Ziklag. (1 Samuel 29:8-11)
Why were the Philistines afraid that David would betray them?
They remembered how David had defeated Goliath and his fame in Israel as a great warrior. (1 Samuel 29:5)
What does this episode reveal about divine providence?
It shows that God prevented David from fighting against Israel, preserving his integrity and future reign. (1 Samuel 29:11)
