Shmuel Alef 29:1

1 9 Now the Pelishtim gathered together all their machanot to Aphek; and Yisroel encamped by an ayin (spring) which is in Yizre’el.

Shmuel Alef 29:1 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 29:1

Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to
Aphek
Not the city in the tribe of Judah of that name, ( Joshua 15:53 ) ; where the Philistines had a camp in the time of Samuel, ( 1 Samuel 4:1 ) ; but rather that in the tribe of Asher, ( Joshua 19:30 ) ; unless there was one of this name in the tribe of Issachar, not mentioned, since it seems to have been near Jezreel and Shunem, which were both in that tribe, ( Joshua 19:18 ) ;

and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel;
in the valley of Jezreel; of which (See Gill on Joshua 19:18) and (See Gill on Hosea 1:5).

Shmuel Alef 29:1 In-Context

1 9 Now the Pelishtim gathered together all their machanot to Aphek; and Yisroel encamped by an ayin (spring) which is in Yizre’el.

2 And the rulers of the Pelishtim (Philistines) were passing by with me’ot, and with alafim; but Dovid and his anashim were passing at the rearguard with Achish.

3 Then said the sarim of the Pelishtim, What are these Ivrim doing here? And Achish said unto the sarim of the Pelishtim, Is not this Dovid, the eved of Sha’ul Melech Yisroel, which hath been with me these yamim, or these shanim, and unto this day I have found no fault in him since he defected?

4 And the sarim of the Pelishtim were angry with him; and the sarim of the Pelishtim said unto him, Send the ish back, that he may turn again to his makom (place, home) which thou hast assigned him, and let him not go down with us to milchamah, lest in the milchamah he be as satan (adversary, antagonist) to us; for wherewith should he make himself acceptable unto his adon? Is it not with the heads of these anashim?

5 Is not this Dovid, of whom they sang one to another in mecholot (dances), saying, Sha’ul slaughtered his alafim, and Dovid his revavot (myriads)?