1 Samuel 29:7

7 So it's best that you leave peacefully, now. It's not worth it, displeasing the Philistine warlords."

1 Samuel 29:7 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 29:7

Wherefore now return
To Ziklag:

and go in peace;
not only in a peaceable manner, easy and satisfied, as David was at his very heart to hear this, but all prosperity and happiness attend thee; the Jews F14 distinguish between wishing persons to go in peace, and to go to peace; the former they observe has not issued happily, when the other has, and they instance in the wish of Jethro to Moses, and of David to Absalom;

that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines:
and what would be the consequence of that he could not say, but suggests it would be most for his peace and safety to depart.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 64. 1. Sepher Alphes, par. 1. fol. 421. 2.

1 Samuel 29:7 In-Context

5 Isn't this the same David they celebrate at their parties, singing, Saul kills by the thousand, David by the ten thousand!"
6 So Achish had to send for David and tell him, "As God lives, you've been a trusty ally - excellent in all the ways you have worked with me, beyond reproach in the ways you have conducted yourself. But the warlords don't see it that way.
7 So it's best that you leave peacefully, now. It's not worth it, displeasing the Philistine warlords."
8 "But what have I done?" said David. "Have you had a single cause for complaint from the day I joined up with you until now? Why can't I fight against the enemies of my master the king?"
9 "I agree," said Achish. "You're a good man - as far as I'm concerned, God's angel! But the Philistine officers were emphatic: 'He's not to go with us into battle.'
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.