1 Samuel 29 5

1 Samuel 29:5 kjv

Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

1 Samuel 29:5 nkjv

Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: 'Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands'?"

1 Samuel 29:5 niv

Isn't this the David they sang about in their dances: "?'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?"

1 Samuel 29:5 esv

Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances, 'Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?"

1 Samuel 29:5 nlt

Isn't this the same David about whom the women of Israel sing in their dances, 'Saul has killed his thousands,
and David his ten thousands'?"

1 Samuel 29 verses

1 Samuel 29 5 Meaning

This verse highlights the Philistine commanders' vivid recall of David's reputation as a formidable warrior, significantly surpassing Saul. It reveals the root cause of their distrust: the popular Israelite song celebrating David's military prowess, particularly his defeat of "ten thousands" of their own people. The question posed is rhetorical, emphasizing their deep-seated awareness and suspicion, recognizing David not as a loyal mercenary, but as a celebrated enemy hero whose past victories against them were widespread knowledge through public song and dance.

1 Samuel 29 5 Context

At this point in the narrative (1 Samuel 29), David and his men have been living as Philistine vassals under Achish, king of Gath, for about a year and four months (1 Sam 27:7). David is believed to be campaigning against Israel's southern tribes by Achish, but in reality, he is raiding other groups and sharing plunder with Achish, while protecting the Philistine border from true enemies. The Philistine lords (or "princes") are mustering their forces to go to war against Israel, and David, along with his men, has been commanded by Achish to join the Philistine army. This verse takes place during the muster at Aphek, where the Philistine commanders see David marching with Achish and vehemently object to his presence, using his well-known past victories against them as justification for their distrust. The historical context shows David in an incredibly precarious and ironic position, being seen as a potential asset by one Philistine king but an existential threat by others, all due to his earlier heroic deeds for Israel.

1 Samuel 29 5 Word analysis

• Is not this David,: This rhetorical question signifies immediate, universal recognition and implies "Surely this is David, the famous one." It conveys the certainty of David's identity and reputation among the Philistine commanders. It reflects an underlying astonishment and suspicion at seeing him allied with them.
• of whom they sang: The Hebrew verb here is יָרוּנּוּ (yarunnu), which implies joyful, communal, often public singing or shouting. It signifies widespread acclaim and an established cultural narrative. This wasn't a private opinion but a publicly known truth.
• one to another: This phrase (אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ, 'ish lere'ehu) emphasizes the widespread nature of the song. It wasn't just formal recognition but part of popular culture, something people would chant and share in everyday life, making its impact truly pervasive.
• in dances: The Hebrew word is בַּמְּחֹלוֹת (bammekholot), referring to group dances, often celebratory and involving rhythmic movement, often performed by women. This underscores the public, festive, and popular context in which David's achievements were celebrated, elevating them to legendary status in the common psyche. It connects directly to the spontaneous celebrations described in 1 Sam 18:6-7.
• saying,: Introduces the direct quote of the well-known song, emphasizing its memorable and oft-repeated nature.
• Saul slew his thousands: Acknowledges King Saul's legitimate military successes. The word for "thousands" is אַלְפָיו ('alwav), denoting large military units or a vast number. It sets a baseline of expected kingly achievement.
• and David his ten thousands?: The interrogative at the end (due to the initial "Is not...") applies to this phrase as well. The term "ten thousands" (רִבְּבֹתָיו, ribbêbōtâw) is a hyperbolically larger number than "thousands." It highlights David's unparalleled success against the Philistines in popular perception, far exceeding even the king. This specific phrase is what elevated David's status above Saul, which was the primary catalyst for Saul's murderous jealousy (1 Sam 18:8-9). For the Philistine commanders, this is a clear and direct memory of overwhelming defeat at David's hand, making him a dangerous, untrustworthy ally.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Is not this David... in dances,": This entire phrase acts as a rhetorical exclamation, showing the commanders' immediate recognition and incredulity. It grounds David's fame not in official records, but in common Israelite celebration, highlighting the inescapable and public nature of his renown as a military hero, particularly against the Philistines themselves.
• "Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?": This directly quoted couplet from the song is the crux of the Philistines' argument. It is not just an acknowledgment of military might, but a comparison that vividly brings to mind their own previous devastating defeats at David's hands, specifically indicating his perceived deadlier efficiency against them. This famous refrain is not only what made Saul jealous but also what made the Philistines distrust David.

1 Samuel 29 5 Bonus section

The scene presents a profound dramatic irony. The very songs that celebrated David's triumphs for Israel against the Philistines are now used by the Philistines themselves to argue against his trustworthiness as an ally. This verse vividly illustrates how fame, especially military fame, carries with it an inescapable historical burden, influencing perception long after the events occurred. The Philistine commanders demonstrate greater common sense and memory concerning David's potential threat than their king, Achish, who had developed a degree of trust in David. This also underscores the pragmatic military mindset, where past demonstrated ability to cause harm takes precedence over current claims of loyalty. It shows that in critical moments, history and proven track record can outweigh current diplomatic arrangements or stated allegiance.

1 Samuel 29 5 Commentary

1 Samuel 29:5 serves as a powerful reminder that reputation, whether earned through heroic deeds or public acclaim, can precede and define an individual, often leading to unforeseen consequences. For David, this specific song, born from popular Israelite celebration of his victories, was ironically the root cause of his current predicament: first inciting Saul's murderous jealousy, which forced him to seek refuge among the Philistines, and now preventing his full integration with those very Philistines because they remember his devastating efficacy against them. The Philistine commanders' recognition of David is immediate and rooted in a deep understanding of his history, making their mistrust perfectly logical from their perspective. It reveals how past achievements can overshadow present intentions, making it difficult to escape one's history. This verse effectively encapsulates the profound irony and dangerous position David finds himself in, caught between the animosity of his own king and the understandable suspicion of his temporary enemies.