Then 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, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?

1 SAMUEL 29:3KJV
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1 Samuel 29:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 29:3 mean?

1 Samuel 29:3 shows the Philistine commanders questioning why Hebrews, specifically David and his men, are present among their army. Achish, a Philistine ruler, defends David by saying he has served him loyally for a long time and has found no fault in him since David joined him.

The verse takes place as the Philistine army prepares to fight Israel, and the Philistine leaders are uneasy about David, an Israelite, being in their ranks. Achish tries to reassure them by pointing out David’s faithful service, even though David was once Saul’s servant and is still an Israelite by birth. This moment highlights the tension and mistrust between the Philistines and the Hebrews, even when personal loyalty seems clear.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 29:3

  • פְּלִשְׁתִּים (P'lishtim) — "Philistines": This word names the group questioning David’s presence, emphasizing the long-standing conflict between them and Israel.
  • עִבְרִים (Iv'rim) — "Hebrews": The Philistine leaders use this term to refer to David and his men, underlining their outsider status and the suspicion they face.
  • נָפַל (nafal) — "fell": Achish says David "fell unto me," meaning David defected or came over to him, which shows how Achish views David’s change of allegiance.

Why 1 Samuel 29:3 matters

  • The verse clarifies that David’s loyalty to Achish is not universally trusted, even among the Philistines, highlighting how David’s identity as a Hebrew remains central.
  • This moment sets up the tension that leads to David being sent away from the battle, shaping the next events in his story.
  • The verse shows how outsiders, even when trusted by one leader, can still face suspicion and rejection from the larger group, a theme that appears throughout David’s life.

Where else these words appear

“Achish” Hebrew H397 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
  • 1 Samuel 27:5 And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?
  • 1 Samuel 28:2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

“Hebrews” Hebrew H5680 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Exodus 2:7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
  • Deuteronomy 15:12 And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.

“fault” Hebrew H3972 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • 1 Samuel 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
  • 1 Kings 10:21 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.