1 Samuel 29:5

1 Samuel 29:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
• New International Version (NIV)Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances: “ ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
• English Standard Version (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'?"
• New King James Version (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’?”

Context of 1 Samuel 29:5

3Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.” 4But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men? Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” 6So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright, and it seems right in my sight that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you are not good in the sight of the leaders. 7Therefore turn back now and go in peace, so that you will not do anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.”

1 Samuel 29:5 word by word

הֲלוֹא־זֶ֣ה דָוִ֔ד אֲשֶׁ֧ר יַעֲנוּ־ל֛וֹ בַּמְּחֹל֖וֹת לֵאמֹ֑ר הִכָּ֤ה שָׁאוּל֙ בַּֽאֲלָפָ֔יו וְדָוִ֖ד בְּרִבְבֹתָֽיו׃ סRead the interlinear

• Is thisזֶהzeh · thisH2088
• notלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
• the Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• about whomאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
• they singעָנָה‛ânâh · to singH6030
• in their dancesמְחוֹלָהmechôlâh · danceH4246
• in their dancesאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• has slainנָכָהnâkâh · to smiteH5221
• thousandsאֶ֫לֶף'eleph · thousandH505
• his tens of thousandsרְבָבָהrebâbâh · myriadH7233

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 29:5

• 1 Samuel 18:6As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments.
• 1 Samuel 21:11But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
• Proverbs 27:14If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 29:5

• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5This song referred to Philistines whom David had killed (1 Samuel 18:7). Because of this, it is surprising that David was able to find safety among them.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-51Sa 29:1-5. David Marching with the Philistines to Fight with Israel. 1. Aphek--(Jos 12:8), in the tribe of Issachar, and in the plain of Esdraelon. A person who compares the Bible account of Saul's last battle with the Philistines, with the region around Gilboa, has the same sort of evidence that the account relates what is true, that a person would have that such a battle as Waterloo really took place. Gilboa, Jezreel, Shunem, En-dor, are all found…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 29:5

• Integrity

In the dictionaries

• David
• Saul
• Paul, Saul
• Achish
• Games
• Samuel, Books of

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 29

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings