TRV
Translation
King James Version
Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
Complete Jewish Bible
Therefore, now, go on back; and go in peace, so as not to do what appears bad to the chiefs of the P'lishtim.
Berean Standard Bible
Therefore turn back now and go in peace, so that you will not do anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.”
American Standard Version
Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
World English Bible Messianic
Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Wherefore nowe returne, and go in peace, that thou displease not the princes of the Philistims.
Young's Literal Translation
and now, turn back, and go in peace, and thou dost do no evil in the eyes of the princes of the Philistines.'
See also
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 7,975 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Samuel 29 verses 6–11
6 ¶ Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
11 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.
If the reasons Achish had to trust David were stronger than the reasons which the princes offered why they should distrust him (as I do not see that, in policy, they were, for the princes were certainly in the right), yet Achish was but one of five, though the chief, and the only one that had the title of king; accordingly, in a council of war held on this occasion, he was over-voted, and obliged to dismiss David, though he was extremely fond of him. Kings cannot always do as they would, nor have such as they would about them.
I. The discharge Achish gives him is very honourable, and not a final discharge, but only from the present service. 1. He signifies the great pleasure and satisfaction he had taken in him and in his conversation: Thou art good in my sight as an angel of God, Sa1 29:9. Wise and good men will gain respect, wherever they go, from all that know how to make a right estimate of persons and things, though of different professions in religion. What Achish says of David, God, by the prophet, says of the house of David (Zac 12:8), that it shall be as the angel of the Lord. But the former is a court-compliment; the latter is a divine promise. 2. He gives him a testimonial of his good behaviour, Sa1 29:6. It is very full and in obliging terms: "Thou hast been upright, and thy whole conduct has been good in my sight, and I have not found evil in thee." Saul would not have given him such a testimonial, though he had done far more service to him than Achish. God's people should behave themselves always so inoffensively as if possible to get the good word of all they have dealings with; and it is a debt we owe to those who have acquitted themselves well to give them the praise of it. 3. He lays all the blame of his dismission upon the princes, who would by no means suffer him to continue in the camp. "The king loves thee entirely, and would venture his life in thy hand; but the lords favour thee not, and we must not disoblige them, nor can we oppose them; therefore return and go in peace." He had better part with his favourite than occasion a disgust among his generals and a mutiny in his army. Achish intimates a reason why they were uneasy. It was not so much for David's own sake as for the sake of his soldiers that attended him, whom he calls his master's servants (namely, Saul's), Sa1 29:10. They could trust him, but not them. (4.) He orders him to be gone early, as soon as it was light (Sa1 29:10), to prevent their further resentments, and the jealousies they would have been apt to conceive if he had lingered.
II. His reception of this discourse is very complimental; but, I fear, not without some degree of dissimulation. "What?" says David, "must I leave my lord the king, whom I am bound by office to protect, just now when he is going to expose himself in the field? Why may not I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" Sa1 29:8. He seemed anxious to serve him when he was at this juncture really anxious to leave him, but he was not willing that Achish should know that he was. No one knows how strong the temptation is to compliment and dissemble which those are in that attend great men, and how hard it is to avoid it.
III. God's providence ordered it wisely and graciously for him. For, besides that the snare was broken and he was delivered out of the dilemma to which he was first reduced, it proved a happy hastening of him to the relief of his own city, which sorely wanted him, though he did not know it. Thus the disgrace which the lords of the Philistines put upon him prove, in more ways than one, an advantage to him. The steps of a good man ore ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way. What he does with us we know not now, but we shall know hereafter, and shall see it was all for good.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–11. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 1 Samuel 29:7 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
In 1 Samuel 29:7, King Achish of Gath, under significant political pressure from his fellow Philistine lords, instructs David to "return, and go in peace." This command serves as a critical, divinely orchestrated moment, providentially removing David from an untenable moral dilemma where he would have been forced to fight against his own people, the Israelites, while serving the very enemies of God. The verse highlights God's sovereign hand in orchestrating circumstances, even through the decisions and suspicions of unbelievers, to protect His anointed and further His divine purposes for Israel's future king.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. Divine Irony is prominent, as what appears to be a rejection or setback for David—being sent away from the battle—is, in fact, God's providential intervention to protect him from a morally compromising situation. This unexpected dismissal prevents David from fighting against his own people, the Israelites, and potentially harming those loyal to him or the future kingdom he is destined to lead. There is also a strong element of Foreshadowing, as David's removal from this battle against Israel paves the way for his subsequent victory over the Amalekites at Ziklag, which restores his reputation and resources, positioning him perfectly for his eventual ascension to the throne. Furthermore, Dramatic Irony is present, as the Philistine lords, in their attempt to secure their military advantage by removing David, unknowingly become instruments of God's plan to preserve David's integrity and prepare him for his future role as Israel's king.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the overarching theme of God's sovereign control over human affairs, even in the midst of complex political and military machinations involving unbelievers. David's precarious situation, caught between his desperate flight from Saul and his temporary allegiance to a Philistine king, presented an impossible moral dilemma. Yet, God, through the very suspicions and political maneuvering of the Philistine lords, orchestrates David's removal from the battlefield, preventing him from fighting against his own people. This divine intervention highlights that God's purposes for His anointed are unshakeable, and He can use any circumstance, even apparent rejection or setback, to guide His servants and preserve their integrity. It is a profound demonstration that God is actively at work behind the scenes, ensuring His plan unfolds precisely as intended, even when human agents are unaware of their role in His grand design.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 1 Samuel 29:7 offers profound lessons for believers navigating the complexities of life. It reminds us that God's protective hand is often at work in ways we least expect, even through closed doors or apparent rejections. When our plans are thwarted, or we are removed from situations we thought were essential, it can be a divine intervention, preventing us from entering circumstances that are not aligned with God's perfect will or that might compromise our integrity. This passage calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that He can use the decisions of others, even those who are not believers, to accomplish His purposes for our lives. We are encouraged to embrace unexpected detours as potentially divinely orchestrated paths, trusting that God is always working for our ultimate good and the fulfillment of His call. Our integrity, like David's, is precious to God, and He will often provide a way out of temptation or morally compromising situations, preserving us for His greater plan.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were the Philistine lords so suspicious of David, especially since he was serving King Achish?
Answer: The Philistine lords' suspicion of David was deeply rooted in his past as Israel's most celebrated warrior. David had famously killed Goliath, the Philistine champion (1 Samuel 17:48-51), and had led Israelite armies to significant victories against the Philistines, prompting the popular song, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" (1 Samuel 18:7). Despite David's temporary allegiance to King Achish of Gath, the other Philistine lords feared that in the heat of battle against his own people, David would turn against them to regain favor with King Saul or simply to avoid fighting his countrymen. Their distrust was a pragmatic military concern, fearing a potential betrayal that could cost them the battle and their lives (1 Samuel 29:4).
How did David's dismissal from the Philistine army ultimately benefit him?
Answer: David's dismissal, though initially perhaps humiliating or perplexing, proved to be a profound divine blessing. Firstly, it prevented him from fighting against his own people, the Israelites, thereby preserving his integrity and avoiding a morally compromising act that would have stained his future reign. Had he fought, he might have killed fellow Israelites, including those loyal to him or even Jonathan, his covenant friend. Secondly, his return to Ziklag led directly to his discovery that the Amalekites had raided and burned the town, taking his family and the families of his men captive (1 Samuel 30:1-3). This allowed David to pursue and decisively defeat the Amalekites, recovering all that was lost (1 Samuel 30:18-20). This victory not only restored his men's morale and his own resources but also solidified his leadership and reputation, positioning him perfectly for his eventual ascension to the throne of Judah shortly thereafter (2 Samuel 2:4).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine providence demonstrated in 1 Samuel 29:7, where God sovereignly orchestrates David's removal from a morally compromising situation, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, perfect fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. David, though God's anointed, was a man prone to moral complexities and imperfect choices, yet God preserved him for His purposes. Christ, however, faced the ultimate moral dilemma and temptation in His perfect obedience. Unlike David, who was spared from fighting his own people, Jesus willingly entered the fray against sin and death, not as a combatant to be dismissed, but as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He was not providentially removed from suffering, but rather providentially appointed to it, enduring the ultimate rejection and suffering on the cross (Isaiah 53:3-5). Just as David's unexpected dismissal led to a greater victory over the Amalekites, Christ's willing sacrifice—His "dismissal" from life—led to the ultimate victory over sin, death, and the grave (Colossians 2:15). Through His perfect obedience, even to the point of death (Philippians 2:8), Jesus secured peace not for Himself, but for all who believe, reconciling humanity to God (Romans 5:1). He is the true King whose path, though marked by suffering, was perfectly aligned with God's will, leading to the establishment of an eternal kingdom where His people are forever secure in His peace.