1 Samuel 29:3
Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
Original Language Analysis
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
3 of 35
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
מָ֖ה
H4100
מָ֖ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
4 of 35
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הָֽעִבְרִ֣ים
What do these Hebrews
H5680
הָֽעִבְרִ֣ים
What do these Hebrews
Strong's:
H5680
Word #:
5 of 35
an eberite (i.e., hebrew) or descendant of eber
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
11 of 35
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
הֲלֽוֹא
H3808
הֲלֽוֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 35
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
18 of 35
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 35
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָיָ֤ה
H1961
הָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
20 of 35
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִתִּי֙
H854
אִתִּי֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
21 of 35
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הַיּ֥וֹם
in him since
H3117
הַיּ֥וֹם
in him since
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
23 of 35
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אוֹ
H176
אוֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
24 of 35
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
27 of 35
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מָצָ֤אתִי
and I have found
H4672
מָצָ֤אתִי
and I have found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
28 of 35
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
מְא֔וּמָה
no fault
H3972
מְא֔וּמָה
no fault
Strong's:
H3972
Word #:
30 of 35
properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
הַיּ֥וֹם
in him since
H3117
הַיּ֥וֹם
in him since
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
31 of 35
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
נָפְל֖וֹ
he fell
H5307
נָפְל֖וֹ
he fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
32 of 35
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
33 of 35
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Historical Context
The Philistine pentapolis (five cities) operated as a confederation with shared military command. The 'princes' (seranim) of the other cities could overrule Achish's individual decisions in matters affecting the coalition. This political structure inadvertently provided David's deliverance.
Questions for Reflection
- How have political or organizational structures unexpectedly worked for your benefit?
- What does it suggest when enemies' suspicions prove more protective than their trust?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Philistine princes' challenge, 'What do these Hebrews here?' uses the ethnic designation 'Ivrim' (Hebrews) with apparent contempt. Their suspicion of David despite Achish's testimony shows that political alliances cannot overcome deep ethnic and religious divisions. Achish's defense of David, noting his time of service 'these days, or these years,' indicates David had been faithful in his visible duties. The confrontation exposes the tension between Achish's personal trust and the other lords' institutional suspicion.