1 Samuel 29:2
And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
Original Language Analysis
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
of the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
2 of 11
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
עֹֽבְרִ֛ים
passed on
H5674
עֹֽבְרִ֛ים
passed on
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
3 of 11
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
לְמֵא֖וֹת
by hundreds
H3967
לְמֵא֖וֹת
by hundreds
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
4 of 11
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
וְלַֽאֲלָפִ֑ים
and by thousands
H505
וְלַֽאֲלָפִ֑ים
and by thousands
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
5 of 11
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֗יו
H376
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֗יו
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 11
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עֹֽבְרִ֛ים
passed on
H5674
עֹֽבְרִ֛ים
passed on
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
8 of 11
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בָּאַֽחֲרֹנָ֖ה
in the rereward
H314
בָּאַֽחֲרֹנָ֖ה
in the rereward
Strong's:
H314
Word #:
9 of 11
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
Historical Context
Ancient armies typically organized in divisions of hundreds and thousands with their respective commanders. The rereward (rear guard) with the king was a position of trust, protecting the command structure from rear attacks and desertion.
Questions for Reflection
- When have circumstances placed you in positions where any action seemed wrong?
- How do we trust God when no apparent path forward exists?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The review of Philistine forces, 'by hundreds, and by thousands,' reveals the magnitude of the army David was expected to fight alongside against Israel. His position 'in the rereward with Achish' (Hebrew: 'ba'acharonah,' in the rear guard) placed him with the king's personal retinue. This prominent position would have made any hesitation or defection highly visible. David's predicament had reached its crisis point: how could he fight against his own people, including Jonathan, without destroying his future kingship?