1 samuel 29:7 - Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.”

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 29:7

What does "1 samuel 29:7" mean?


This verse, 1 Samuel 29:7, is part of the story where the Philistines are preparing to go to war against Israel. David, having sought refuge with the Philistine king Achish, is with them. However, the Philistine lords (the other rulers alongside Achish) are suspicious of David.

Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:

"Therefore now return...": This is an order from the Philistine lords to David. They are telling him to go back.

"...and go in peace...": They are dismissing David without violence. They want him to leave without causing trouble or a fight.

"...that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.": This is the reason for their request. They are afraid of what might happen if David stays. The "lords of the Philistines" as a group are uneasy with David's presence. They are worried he might turn on them in the battle and fight for Israel, or that his presence will bring bad luck. They're prioritizing their own unity and comfort over Achish's trust in David. The fear of displeasing the lords is a strong motivator for Achish, as he is one of them and relies on their support.

In essence, the verse means:

The Philistine lords are telling David to leave and return to where he came from so as not to cause further conflict and dissatisfaction amongst themselves. They don't trust him and don't want him with them when they go to war. It emphasizes their collective distrust and desire for a united front. It suggests that Achish is going against the will of other Philistine leaders by allowing David to join them.

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