1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
Original Language Analysis
פְלִשְׁתִּ֛ים
Now the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֛ים
Now the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
2 of 11
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַֽחֲנֵיהֶ֖ם
all their armies
H4264
מַֽחֲנֵיהֶ֖ם
all their armies
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
5 of 11
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
אֲפֵ֑קָה
to Aphek
H663
אֲפֵ֑קָה
to Aphek
Strong's:
H663
Word #:
6 of 11
aphek (or aphik), the name of three places in palestine
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל
and the Israelites
H3478
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל
and the Israelites
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
חֹנִ֔ים
pitched
H2583
חֹנִ֔ים
pitched
Strong's:
H2583
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
בַּעַ֖יִן
by a fountain
H5869
בַּעַ֖יִן
by a fountain
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
9 of 11
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Cross References
1 Samuel 4:1And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.Joshua 12:18The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;Joshua 19:30Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their villages.1 Kings 21:1And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.1 Kings 20:30But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Ben-hadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber.
Historical Context
Aphek, located on the coastal plain, served as a staging area for Philistine campaigns. The fountain in Jezreel (possibly 'Ein Harod) was a major water source in the valley. This concentration of forces represented the largest military confrontation since the Philistines captured the ark.
Questions for Reflection
- How do broader events in our world create personal crises we must navigate?
- What impossible situations have you found yourself in through circumstances beyond your control?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The narrative returns to David's crisis, revealing the full extent of Philistine mobilization at Aphek. The Israelite position 'by a fountain which is in Jezreel' places them near the spring that would become strategically important throughout Israel's history. The geographical separation of the armies sets the stage for the confrontation that will decide Saul's fate. David's presence with the Philistines creates the impossible situation toward which the previous chapters have been building.