Bible Strands

1 Samuel 29:5

Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Achish speaks to David at the Philistine camp after the commanders demand his removal from the upcoming campaign. The moment occurs immediately before the army prepares to march against Israel.

The words — The phrase הֲ/לוֹא־זֶ֣ה (ha./lo'- zeh) literally means "is this not," establishing the question as a rhetorical confirmation. The verb יַעֲנוּ (ya.'a.nu-) denotes singing or responding in chorus during public dances.

The thread — The verse recalls the initial popular acclaim recorded in 1 Samuel 18:6 and mirrors the servants' recognition in 1 Samuel 21:11. The pattern of public songs about David's victories resurfaces whenever his military reputation intersects with political authority.

Why it lands — The text states that leaders must weigh David's proven loyalty against the Philistine commanders' fear of his popularity. A reader must confront how institutional insecurity overrides personal merit and divine favor.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

הֲלוֹא־ha./lo'-¿/ notזֶ֣הzeh[is] thisדָוִ֔דda.VidDavidאֲשֶׁ֧ר'a.Sherwhomיַעֲנוּ־ya.'a.nu-people singל֛וֹl/oof <the>/ himבַּמְּחֹל֖וֹתba./me.cho.Lotin <the>/ dancesלֵאמֹ֑רle./Mor<to>/ sayingהִכָּ֤הhi.Kahhe has struck downשָׁאוּל֙sha.'UlSaulבַּֽאֲלָפָ֔יוba./'a.la.Fa/v<on>/ thousands/ hisוְדָוִ֖דve./da.Vidand/ Davidבְּרִבְבֹתָֽיו׃ סbe./ri.vo.to/v<on>/ ten thousands/ his

King James Version

Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

Cross-references

People named

DavidSaul