1 samuel 29:4 - But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; and the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For with what should this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Should it not be with the heads of these men?
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What does "1 samuel 29:4" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 29:4 describes the Philistine princes' distrust of David during a war with Israel. Let's break it down:
"But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him..." This sets the scene. "Him" refers to David. He had been living among the Philistines, seeking refuge from King Saul. However, the other Philistine leaders were suspicious of his motives and loyalty.
"...and the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have appointed him..." The princes are speaking to Achish, the Philistine king who had accepted David. They demand that Achish send David back. They don't trust him in battle.
"...and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us." This is the core of their concern. They fear David might switch sides during the battle and turn against them. They believe he could betray them to regain favor with his former people, the Israelites.
"For with what should this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Should it not be with the heads of these men?" This is the most crucial part. The princes suspect that David would want to prove his loyalty to King Saul (his "lord"). They believe the most effective way for David to do so would be to kill Philistine soldiers and present their heads as trophies to Saul. This highlights their complete lack of trust in David's allegiance.
In essence, the verse reveals the Philistine princes' suspicion that David is a double agent. They don't believe he has genuinely switched his allegiance and fear that he will betray them to reconcile with Saul by killing them in battle. Therefore, they demand that he be sent away to prevent this possibility.
This passage is important because it shows the precarious position David was in. He was trying to survive and avoid Saul's wrath, but his actions and alliances made him a figure of distrust and suspicion. It also sets the stage for David's eventual return to leadership among the Israelites.
1 samuel 29:4 - But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; and the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For with what should this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Should it not be with the heads of these men?
What does "1 samuel 29:4" mean?
This verse from 1 Samuel 29:4 describes the Philistine princes' distrust of David during a war with Israel. Let's break it down:
"But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him..." This sets the scene. "Him" refers to David. He had been living among the Philistines, seeking refuge from King Saul. However, the other Philistine leaders were suspicious of his motives and loyalty.
"...and the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have appointed him..." The princes are speaking to Achish, the Philistine king who had accepted David. They demand that Achish send David back. They don't trust him in battle.
"...and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us." This is the core of their concern. They fear David might switch sides during the battle and turn against them. They believe he could betray them to regain favor with his former people, the Israelites.
"For with what should this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Should it not be with the heads of these men?" This is the most crucial part. The princes suspect that David would want to prove his loyalty to King Saul (his "lord"). They believe the most effective way for David to do so would be to kill Philistine soldiers and present their heads as trophies to Saul. This highlights their complete lack of trust in David's allegiance.
In essence, the verse reveals the Philistine princes' suspicion that David is a double agent. They don't believe he has genuinely switched his allegiance and fear that he will betray them to reconcile with Saul by killing them in battle. Therefore, they demand that he be sent away to prevent this possibility.
This passage is important because it shows the precarious position David was in. He was trying to survive and avoid Saul's wrath, but his actions and alliances made him a figure of distrust and suspicion. It also sets the stage for David's eventual return to leadership among the Israelites.