1 Samuel 29 11

1 Samuel 29:11 kjv

So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

1 Samuel 29:11 nkjv

So David and his men rose early to depart in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

1 Samuel 29:11 niv

So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

1 Samuel 29:11 esv

So David set out with his men early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

1 Samuel 29:11 nlt

So David and his men headed back into the land of the Philistines, while the Philistine army went on to Jezreel.

1 Samuel 29 verses

1 Samuel 29 11 Meaning

This verse details a crucial turning point where David and his men, prevented by the Philistine commanders from joining the battle against Israel, promptly returned to Ziklag. Concurrently, the Philistines advanced towards Jezreel to engage Saul's forces. This simultaneous, yet separate, movement orchestrated by divine providence spared David from the tragic moral dilemma of fighting against his own people, ultimately safeguarding his legitimacy as Israel's future king.

1 Samuel 29 11 Context

This verse is situated at a critical juncture in David's life, directly preceding the momentous Battle of Gilboa where King Saul and his sons would fall. Having fled Saul's relentless persecution, David had taken refuge with the Philistine king Achish in Gath for sixteen months, during which he secretly raided non-Israelite towns. Achish trusted David implicitly and desired him to fight alongside the Philistines against Israel. However, the other Philistine lords vehemently objected, fearing David's loyalty to Israel might lead him to betray them mid-battle, as he had fought heroically against them in the past. Chapter 29 thus records the Philistine commanders' insistence on David's removal. This divine orchestration, via the Philistines' mistrust, prevented David from directly participating in the demise of God's anointed, Saul, preserving David's untarnished image as Israel's destined king and future leader, without his direct complicity in Saul’s downfall.

1 Samuel 29 11 Word analysis

• So David and his men rose early:

  • So (וַיָּקֻם / va-ya-qum - conj. + verb, lit. "And arose"): Indicates immediate action following the Philistine lords' command to depart. It suggests prompt obedience to the directive given.
  • David and his men: Highlights the unity and shared destiny of David and his loyal followers. They shared his plight and were with him in every trial.
  • rose early (וַיַּשְׁכִּמוּ / va-yash-kimu - Hiphil imperfect of שָׁכַם, shakham, "to rise early"): This phrase repeatedly denotes determination, earnestness, and a quick readiness for action throughout the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Gen 19:2, Jdg 7:1, 1 Sam 17:16). Here, it conveys David’s immediate and earnest departure, perhaps even with relief, from a deeply compromising situation. It also hints at a disciplined adherence to commands, whether from man or God.

• and went back to the land of the Philistines,

  • went back (וַיָּשֻׁבוּ / va-ya-shuvu - Vav-consecutive + imperfect of שׁוּב, shuv, "to return"): Signifies a turning around, a reversal of direction from their intended course to battle. This "return" is crucial—it's a return to Ziklag within Philistine territory, away from the conflict against Israel. This action marks a divine intervention that steers David clear of the bloody conflict with Saul's army.
  • to the land of the Philistines: Specifically Ziklag, the city given to David by Achish (1 Sam 27:6). This underscores their current ambiguous status: residing in Philistine territory, yet ultimately separate from their war aims. This physical return symbolizes a return to the safety (albeit conditional) and separation that God desired for David during this period.

• while the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

  • while the Philistines: Emphasizes the simultaneous yet separate paths taken by David's group and the Philistine army. This narrative contrast highlights God's providence, showing distinct purposes for each.
  • went up (עָלוּ / ʿalu - imperfect of עָלָה, alah, "to go up, ascend"): Indicates movement towards higher ground or simply a progression to a significant location. Jezreel, located in a valley, required an ascent to its city, but the phrase primarily conveys the purposeful advancement of the Philistine army toward the imminent battle.
  • to Jezreel: A highly significant and strategic valley in northern Israel, near Mount Gilboa. It became the stage for the fateful battle where King Saul and his three sons, including Jonathan, were killed. The naming of this location immediately prepares the reader for the unfolding tragedy that David providentially avoided.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "So David and his men rose early and went back... while the Philistines went up...": This juxtaposition is central to the verse's meaning. It visually depicts two groups heading in opposite directions. This divergence is not accidental but divinely arranged, separating David from the scene of Saul's defeat, thereby protecting his divine appointment and future legitimacy. The promptness of David's departure is key to fulfilling this providential turn of events.

1 Samuel 29 11 Bonus section

• The incident perfectly illustrates how God orchestrates events, even using the unrighteous, to protect His chosen servants and fulfill His divine purposes, without the chosen one's complicity in actions that would undermine their future. This reflects a key theme of divine sovereignty throughout Scripture.
• This is not the only time the Philistines unwittingly aided David's ascent. When David feigned madness before Achish in Gath (1 Sam 21:10-15), his escape also paved the way for the gathering of the disaffected and distressed around him (1 Sam 22:1-2), forming the nucleus of his future army.
• The immediate consequence of David's return was the raiding of Ziklag by the Amalekites (1 Sam 30). This further purified David, bringing him to his knees before God for guidance, and leading to a victory that solidified his leadership among his men through a direct act of God. It further showed his dependence on God and his righteous character, despite his time in Philistine land.

1 Samuel 29 11 Commentary

1 Samuel 29:11 serves as a profound testament to divine providence in the narrative of David's ascension to the throne. David was trapped in a moral quagmire, forced to appear as an ally to the Philistines, enemies of God's people, due to Saul's relentless pursuit. His situation posed an immense spiritual and political threat: fighting against Israel would irrevocably tarnish his anointing as God's chosen king. However, this verse reveals God's meticulous hand, using the very prejudices of the Philistine commanders—enemies of God's people—to deliver David from an impossible moral dilemma. The Philistine lords' mistrust, ironically, protected David's future kingship, demonstrating that God can use the intentions and actions of non-believers, even adversaries, to fulfill His perfect will. David's swift return to Ziklag was not a retreat of defeat but a providential redirection that led him away from potential defilement. Simultaneously, the Philistine army advanced towards Jezreel, sealing Saul's tragic fate, while David remained untouched by the bloodshed of Israel's king. This critical separation ensured David's hands were clean, legitimizing his claim to the throne and setting the stage for the kingdom transition in 2 Samuel. This event highlights that God's plan unfolds perfectly, often in surprising ways, using unexpected instruments to protect His anointed and His promises.

• Practical application: Trust that God can use even negative circumstances or the opposition of others to work for your good (Rom 8:28). Sometimes a "no" or a roadblock is God's redirection to a better path, preserving you from greater harm or moral compromise. Obedience, even when inconvenient (like "rising early" to leave), can align us with divine purposes.