1 Samuel 29:3
New International Version
The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.”

New Living Translation
But the Philistine commanders demanded, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish told them, “This is David, the servant of King Saul of Israel. He’s been with me for years, and I’ve never found a single fault in him from the day he arrived until today.”

English Standard Version
the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me now for days and years, and since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then 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.”

King James Bible
Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?

New King James Version
Then the princes of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or these years? And to this day I have found no fault in him since he defected to me.

New American Standard Bible
Then the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found nothing at all suspicious in him since the day he deserted to me to this day?”

NASB 1995
Then the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him from the day he deserted to me to this day?”

NASB 1977
Then the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him from the day he deserted to me to this day?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him from the day he deserted to me to this day?”

Amplified Bible
the Philistine commanders [having noticed David] said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” Achish said to the Philistine commanders, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days and years, and I have found no fault in him from the day he deserted to me to this day?”

Christian Standard Bible
Then the Philistine commanders asked, “What are these Hebrews doing here? ” Achish answered the Philistine commanders, “That is David, servant of King Saul of Israel. He has been with me a considerable period of time. From the day he defected until today, I’ve found no fault with him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the Philistine commanders asked, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” Achish answered the Philistine commanders, “That is David, servant of King Saul of Israel. He has been with me a considerable period of time. From the day he defected until today, I’ve found no fault with him.”

American Standard Version
Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who hath been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away unto me unto this day?

English Revised Version
Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away unto me unto this day?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Philistine officers asked, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" Achish asked the Philistine officers, "Isn't this David, the servant of King Saul of Israel, who has been with me now for a year or two? I've found nothing wrong with him from the day he defected until now."

Good News Translation
The Philistine commanders saw them and asked, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" Achish answered, "This is David, an official of King Saul of Israel. He has been with me for quite some time now. He has done nothing I can find fault with since the day he came over to me."

International Standard Version
The Philistine leaders said, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" Achish asked the Philistine leaders, "Isn't this David, the servant of King Saul of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years? I've found no fault in him from the day he deserted until now."

Majority Standard Bible
Then 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.?

NET Bible
The leaders of the Philistines asked, "What about these Hebrews?" Achish said to the leaders of the Philistines, "Isn't this David, the servant of King Saul of Israel, who has been with me for quite some time? I have found no fault with him from the day of his defection until the present time!"

New Heart English Bible
Then the leaders of the Philistines said, "What about these Hebrews?" And Achish said to the leaders of the Philistines, "Isn't this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him since he defected to me until this day?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell to me to this day?

World English Bible
Then the princes of the Philistines said, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, “Isn’t this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years? I have found no fault in him since he fell away until today.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the heads of the Philistines say, “What [are] these Hebrews?” And Achish says to the heads of the Philistines, “Is this not David, servant of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days or these years, and I have not found anything in him [wrong] from the day of his falling away until this day?”

Young's Literal Translation
And the heads of the Philistines say, 'What are these Hebrews?' and Achish saith unto the heads of the Philistines, 'Is not this David servant of Saul king of Israel, who hath been with me these days or these years, and I have not found in him anything wrong from the day of his falling away till this day.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the chiefs of the rovers will say, What these Hebrews? and Achish will say to the chiefs of the rovers, Is not this David, servant of Saul king of Israel, who was with me these days or these years, and I found nothing in him from the day of his falling till this day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the princes of the Philistines said to Achis: What mean these Hebrews? And Achis said to the princes of the Philistines: Do you not know David, who was the servant of Saul the king of Israel, and hath been with me many days, or years, and I have found no fault in him, since the day that he fled over to me until this day?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the leaders of the Philistines said to Achish, “What do these Hebrews intend to do?” And Achish said to the leaders of the Philistines: “Could you be ignorant about David, who was the servant of Saul, the king of Israel, and who has been with me for many days, even years, and I have not found within him anything, from the day that he fled to me, even to this day?”

New American Bible
The Philistine commanders asked, “What are those Hebrews doing here?” Achish answered them: “Why, that is David, the officer of Saul, king of Israel. He has been with me for a year or two, and from the day he came over to me until now I have never found fault in him.”

New Revised Standard Version
the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel, who has been with me now for days and years? Since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
- - -

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Princes of the Philistines said to Akish: “Why are these passing through?” And Akish said to the Princes of the Philistines: “This is David the Servant of Shaul, King of Israel, who has been with us now season to season and some months, and I have not found anything in him from the day that he came to me and until today.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said the princes of the Philistines: 'What do these Hebrews here?' And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines: 'Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who hath been with me these days or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away unto me unto this day?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the lords of the Philistines said, Who are these that pass by? And Anchus said to the captains of the Philistines, Is not this David the servant of Saul king of Israel? He has been with us some time, even this second year, and I have not found any fault in him from the day that he attached himself to me even until this day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Philistines Reject David
2As the Philistine leaders marched out their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish. 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?…

Cross References
1 Samuel 27:8-12
Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these people had inhabited the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) / Whenever David attacked a territory, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but he took the flocks and herds, the donkeys, camels, and clothing. Then he would return to Achish, / who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.” ...

1 Samuel 28:1-2
Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.” / David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” “Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”

1 Samuel 30:1-6
On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way. / When David and his men came to the city, they found it burned down and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. ...

2 Samuel 1:1-4
After the death of Saul, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days. / On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head arrived from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him homage. / “Where have you come from?” David asked. “I have escaped from the Israelite camp,” he replied. ...

1 Chronicles 12:19-22
Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, “It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”) / When David went to Ziklag, these men of Manasseh defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, chiefs of thousands in Manasseh. / They helped David against the raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor and commanders in the army. ...

2 Kings 3:9-12
So the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom set out, and after they had traveled a roundabout route for seven days, they had no water for their army or for their animals. / “Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!” / But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” ...

Joshua 9:3-15
But the people of Gibeon, having heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, / acted deceptively and set out as envoys, carrying on their donkeys worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. / They put worn, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies, and their whole supply of bread was dry and moldy. ...

Judges 11:12-28
Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, saying, “What do you have against me that you have come to fight against my land?” / The king of the Ammonites answered Jephthah’s messengers, “When Israel came up out of Egypt, they seized my land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok and all the way to the Jordan. Now, therefore, restore it peaceably.” / Jephthah again sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites ...

2 Samuel 15:19-22
Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. / In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.” / But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!” ...

2 Kings 7:3-5
Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die? / If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.” / So they arose at twilight and went to the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the outskirts of the camp, there was not a man to be found.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Luke 16:8
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the sons of light.

John 15:18-19
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

Acts 9:26-28
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. / Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus. / So Saul stayed with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which has been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell to me to this day?

these days

1 Samuel 27:7
And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.

found

1 Samuel 25:28
I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.

Daniel 6:5
Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

John 19:6
When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

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1 Samuel 29
1. David marching with the Philistines
3. is disallowed by their princes
6. Achish dismisses him, with commendations of his fidelity














What are these
This phrase introduces a question that is both inquisitive and skeptical. The Philistine commanders are puzzled and perhaps suspicious about the presence of Hebrews among their ranks. The Hebrew word for "these" (אֵלֶּה, 'elleh) is often used to point out something specific, indicating that the commanders are drawing attention to a particular group that stands out. This highlights the tension and the cultural divide between the Philistines and the Israelites, emphasizing the unusual nature of the situation.

Hebrews
The term "Hebrews" (עִבְרִים, 'Ivrim) is used here to describe the Israelites, and it carries a historical weight. It is often associated with the descendants of Eber, an ancestor of Abraham, and is used in the Old Testament to denote the people of Israel, especially in contexts where they are seen as outsiders or foreigners. This term underscores the identity and heritage of David and his men, who are seen as distinct from the Philistines, both ethnically and religiously. The use of "Hebrews" here is significant as it reminds the reader of the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites, setting the stage for the unfolding of God's providential plan.

doing here?
The question "doing here?" (עֹשִׂים פֹּה, 'osim poh) reflects a sense of disbelief and concern. The Philistine commanders are questioning the appropriateness and loyalty of the Hebrews' presence in their military camp. This phrase suggests a deeper inquiry into motives and intentions, highlighting the precarious position of David and his men. Historically, this moment is critical as it tests David's allegiance and foreshadows his eventual kingship over Israel. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine plan, even in situations that seem politically and militarily complex.

(3) These days, or these years.--An indefinite expression of time. The versions have translated it in various ways. The English Version here is literal. The Syrlac singularly renders, "this time, and time, and months." The LXX. is not very easy to understand here, but it apparently took the expression as signifying "two years." Maurer would translate, "who has been with me alway, for days, or rather for years."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The commanders
שָׂרֵ֣י (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of the Philistines
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

asked,
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“What [about]
מָ֖ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

these
הָאֵ֑לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

Hebrews?”
הָעִבְרִ֣ים (hā·‘iḇ·rîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 5680: Hebrews -- perhaps descendant of Eber, also another name for an Israelite

Achish
אָכִ֜ישׁ (’ā·ḵîš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 397: Achish -- king of Gath

replied,
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Is this
זֶ֨ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

not
הֲלֽוֹא־ (hă·lō·w-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

David,
דָוִ֜ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

the servant
עֶ֣בֶד ׀ (‘e·ḇeḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

of King
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

Saul
שָׁא֣וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

of Israel?
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

He
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

has been
הָיָ֤ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

with me
אִתִּי֙ (’it·tî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

all these
זֶ֤ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

days,
יָמִים֙ (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

even
אוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

years,
שָׁנִ֔ים (šā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

and from
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

the day
מִיּ֥וֹם (mî·yō·wm)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

he defected
נָפְל֖וֹ (nā·p̄ə·lōw)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

until today
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

I have found
מָצָ֤אתִי (mā·ṣā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

no fault
מְא֔וּמָה (mə·’ū·māh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3972: A speck, point, nothing

in him.”
בוֹ֙ (ḇōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 0: 0


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OT History: 1 Samuel 29:3 Then said the princes of the Philistines (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 29:2
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