1 Samuel 29:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which [is] in Jezreel.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The P'lishtim gathered all their army together at Afek, while Isra'el's army pitched camp by the spring in Yizre'el.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.

American Standard Version:

Now the Philistines gathered together all their hosts to Aphek: and the Israelites encamped by the fountain which is in Jezreel.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now the Philistines^{H6430} gathered together^{H6908} all their armies^{H4264} to Aphek^{H663}: and the Israelites^{H3478} pitched^{H2583} by a fountain^{H5869} which is in Jezreel^{H3157}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 29:1

1 Samuel 29:1 sets the stage for a significant confrontation in the historical narrative of the Israelites and the Philistines. The verse describes the Philistines amassing their forces at Aphek, a location often associated with military campaigns in the Bible. Aphek was strategically situated in the region that would later be known as the Jezreel Valley, an important corridor for trade and military movements in ancient Canaan.

The Israelites, led by King Saul at this time, are encamped by a fountain in Jezreel, which is also in the northern valley of the same name. This geographical detail is significant as it places the two armies in close proximity, poised for battle. The mention of the fountain or spring suggests access to water, a crucial resource in the outcome of military campaigns, indicating that the Israelites were positioned advantageously in terms of supply.

The historical context of this verse is set against the backdrop of ongoing conflict between the Philistines and the Israelites, who were struggling to establish their kingdom under Saul's leadership. The Philistines, a sea-faring people who had settled on the coastal plain of what is now modern-day Israel, were a persistent military threat to the Israelites during this period.

The themes present in 1 Samuel 29:1 include the preparation for war, the strategic importance of geographical locations, and the tension between two nations vying for dominance in the region. This verse also foreshadows the impending battle, which will have significant implications for both the immediate future of Israel and the eventual rise of David to the throne. The narrative that unfolds in the subsequent verses will highlight issues of loyalty, divine intervention, and the complex relationship between Saul, David, and the Philistine leaders.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6430
   There are 244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פְּלִשְׁתִּי
   Transliteration: Pᵉlishtîy
   Pronunciation: pel-ish-tee'
   Description: patrial from פְּלֶשֶׁת; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth; Philistine.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6908
   There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָבַץ
   Transliteration: qâbats
   Pronunciation: kaw-bats'
   Description: a primitive root; to grasp, i.e. collect; assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4264
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַחֲנֶה
   Transliteration: machăneh
   Pronunciation: makh-an-eh'
   Description: from חָנָה; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts); army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents.
   
4. Strong's Number: H663
   There are 510 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲפֵק
   Transliteration: ʼĂphêq
   Pronunciation: af-ake'
   Description: or אֲפִיק; from אָפַק (in the sense of strength); fortress; Aphek (or Aphik), the name of three places in Palestine; Aphek, Aphik.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
6. Strong's Number: H2583
   There are 135 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָנָה
   Transliteration: chânâh
   Pronunciation: khaw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root (compare חָנַן); properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch atent; gen. to encamp (for abode or siege); abide (in tents), camp, dwell, encamp, grow to an end, lie, pitch (tent), rest in tent.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
8. Strong's Number: H3157
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִזְרְעֵאל
   Transliteration: Yizrᵉʻêʼl
   Pronunciation: yiz-reh-ale'
   Description: from זָרַע and אֵל; God will sow; Jizreel, the name of two places in Palestine and of two Israelites; Jezreel.