1 Samuel 29:2

2 et satrapae quidem Philisthim incedebant in centuriis et milibus David autem et viri eius erant in novissimo agmine cum Achis

1 Samuel 29:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 29:2

And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by
thousands
Not that there were so many lords, for there were but five of them; but these marched, some at the head of hundreds with them, and others at the head of thousands:

but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish;
who being the generalissimo brought up the rear, and David, whom he had appointed captain of his bodyguards, attended him with his men, which in point of gratitude he could not refuse; and yet was in the greatest strait and difficulty how to act, it being both against his conscience and his interest to fight against Israel, and was waiting and hoping for some appearance of Providence to deliver him out of this dilemma, and which was quickly seen; but Abarbinel thinks David had no other notion in going to the battle, but of being the bodyguard of Achish, and accompanying him, and that he should not fight against Israel, nor for the Philistines: neither harm the one, nor help the other.

1 Samuel 29:2 In-Context

1 congregata sunt ergo Philisthim universa agmina in Afec sed et Israhel castrametatus est super fontem qui erat in Iezrahel

2 et satrapae quidem Philisthim incedebant in centuriis et milibus David autem et viri eius erant in novissimo agmine cum Achis

3 dixeruntque principes Philisthim quid sibi volunt Hebraei isti et ait Achis ad principes Philisthim num ignoratis David qui fuit servus Saul regis Israhel et est apud me multis diebus vel annis et non inveni in eo quicquam ex die qua transfugit ad me usque ad diem hanc

4 irati sunt autem adversus eum principes Philisthim et dixerunt ei revertatur vir et sedeat in loco suo in quo constituisti eum et non descendat nobiscum in proelium ne fiat nobis adversarius cum proeliari coeperimus quomodo enim aliter placare poterit dominum suum nisi in capitibus nostris

5 nonne iste est David cui cantabant in choro dicentes percussit Saul in milibus suis et David in decem milibus suis