Chapter Summary
Read 1 Samuel Chapter 29 in full above. This chapter is part of the book of 1 Samuel and continues the narrative, teachings, or poetry found throughout this biblical text.
1 Samuel Chapter 29
Chapter 29 of 1 Samuel from the Holy Bible
Verses
1 Samuel 29:1
Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek; and the Israelites encamped by the spring which is in Jezreel.
1 Samuel 29:2
The lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds and by thousands; and David and his men passed on in the rear with Achish.
1 Samuel 29:3
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, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away to today?”
1 Samuel 29:4
But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; and the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For with what should this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Should it not be with the heads of these men?
1 Samuel 29:5
Isn’t this David, of whom people sang to one another in dances, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?’”
1 Samuel 29:6
Then Achish called David, and said to him, “As Yahweh lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight; for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords don’t favor you.
1 Samuel 29:7
Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.”
1 Samuel 29:8
David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant so long as I have been before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
1 Samuel 29:9
Achish answered David, “I know that you are 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.’
1 Samuel 29:10
Therefore now rise up early in the morning with the servants of your lord who have come with you; and as soon as you are up early in the morning, and have light, depart.”
1 Samuel 29:11
So David rose up early, he and his men, to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
People Also Ask
What is 1 Samuel Chapter 29 about?
1 Samuel Chapter 29 is part of the book of 1 Samuel in the Historical Books. This chapter contains 11 verses. Read the full text above to study its message in context with the surrounding chapters.
How many verses are in 1 Samuel Chapter 29?
1 Samuel Chapter 29 contains 11 verses. You can use the Audio Reader to listen to this chapter read aloud, or use the font size controls above to adjust the text for comfortable reading. Bookmark individual verses by hovering over them and clicking the bookmark icon.
How can I study 1 Samuel Chapter 29 more deeply?
To study this chapter more deeply: (1) Read the surrounding chapters for context — start with Chapter 28. (2) Explore related themes in our Faith Discussions section. (3) Find verses that match your emotional needs in Verses by Emotion. (4) Use the bookmark feature to save key verses for later reflection.

