1 Samuel 29:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 29:7 mean?

1 Samuel 29:7 records a Philistine leader telling David to return and leave peacefully so that he does not upset the Philistine rulers. The verse shows David being asked to withdraw from the Philistine army's campaign against Israel to avoid causing trouble among the Philistine leaders.

In this scene, Achish, a Philistine king, is speaking to David, who has been living among the Philistines while fleeing from King Saul. The Philistine commanders are suspicious of David, fearing he might turn against them in battle. Achish, wanting to avoid conflict with his fellow rulers and to protect David, instructs him to go back quietly.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 29:7

• "Return" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means to turn back or go back to a previous place. Here, it highlights that David is being told to leave the Philistine army and return to where he came from.
• "Go" (יָלַךְ, yalak): This is a common word for "go" or "walk," emphasizing the action of leaving peacefully.
• "Peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom): More than just the absence of conflict, "shalom" carries the sense of wholeness or well-being. Achish is telling David to leave in a way that maintains good relations.
• "Displease" (עָשָׂה, asah; רַע, ra; עַיִן, ayin): The phrase here involves the idea of "doing something evil in the eyes" of the Philistine lords, meaning to offend or provoke them. The language stresses the importance of not upsetting the powerful Philistine leaders.
• "Lords" (סָרְנֵי, sarnei): This term refers specifically to the Philistine rulers or princes, showing that multiple leaders are involved in the decision.
• "Philistines" (פְּלִשְׁתִּים, Pelishtim): This is the standard Hebrew term for the Philistine people, the main adversaries of Israel in this period.

Why 1 Samuel 29:7 matters

• This verse clarifies that David was not allowed to fight against Israel with the Philistines, protecting him from being seen as a traitor by his own people.
• The verse highlights the tension and distrust between the Philistine leaders and David, even though David had found favor with Achish.
• Understanding this moment helps explain how David is kept from a compromising situation, setting up the events that follow in the story.