Prophets · Word by Word

I Samuel · Chapter 29

וַיִּקְבְּצוּ
Soundva·yi·ke·be·TSV
Rootקבץ
Value214

The Philistine lords distrust David and send him back, sparing him from fighting against his own people at Aphek.

Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.

1 · · dedicate this verse

וַיִּקְבְּצ֧וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֛ים אֶת־כׇּל־מַחֲנֵיהֶ֖ם אֲפֵ֑קָה וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל חֹנִ֔ים בַּעַ֖יִן אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּיִזְרְעֶֽאל

root קבץ · value 214✦ dedicate this word
root פלשתי · value 860✦ dedicate this word
root מחנה · value 604✦ dedicate this word
root אפקה · value 186✦ dedicate this word
root ישראל · value 547✦ dedicate this word
root חנה · value 108✦ dedicate this word
root עין · value 132✦ dedicate this word
root אשר · value 501✦ dedicate this word
root יזרעאל · value 320✦ dedicate this word

Now the Philistines gathered together all their hosts to Aphek; and the Israelites pitched by the fountain which is in Jezreel.

verse value 3472

Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 50 letters. The shortest word is "which" (אֲשֶׁ֥ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "all·their·hosts" (אֶת־כׇּל־מַחֲנֵיהֶ֖ם, 10 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "all·their·hosts" (אֶת־כׇּל־מַחֲנֵיהֶ֖ם), "to·Aphek" (אֲפֵ֑קָה), "in·Jezreel" (בְּיִזְרְעֶֽאל). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "which" (root אשר, 229x in I Samuel); "Philistines" (root פלשתי, 124x in I Samuel); "and·Israel" (root ישראל, 102x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·Aphek', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקְבְּצ֧וּ [and·they·gathered] (214) + פְלִשְׁתִּ֛ים [Philistines] (860) + אֶת־כׇּל־מַחֲנֵיהֶ֖ם [all·their·hosts] (604) + אֲפֵ֑קָה [to·Aphek] (186) + וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל [and·Israel] (547) + חֹנִ֔ים [encamped] (108) + בַּעַ֖יִן [in·the·spring] (132) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [which] (501) + בְּיִזְרְעֶֽאל [in·Jezreel] (320) = 3472.
Metzudat Zion
At the fountain. At the eye of water, and it is a spring.
Malbim
“And they assembled” – after they had assembled on the first day at Shunem (as stated above, 28:4), they assembled on the second day (after Saul returned from the medium of Endor) at Aphek, which was closer to Saul’s camp.
2 · · dedicate this verse

וְסַרְנֵ֤י פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ עֹֽבְרִ֔ים לְמֵא֖וֹת וְלַאֲלָפִ֑ים וְדָוִ֣ד וַאֲנָשָׁ֗יו עֹ֥בְרִ֛ים בָּאַחֲרֹנָ֖ה עִם־אָכִֽישׁ

root סרן · value 326✦ dedicate this word
root פלשתי · value 860✦ dedicate this word
root עבר · value 322✦ dedicate this word
root מאה · value 477✦ dedicate this word
root אלף · value 197✦ dedicate this word
root דוד · value 20✦ dedicate this word
root איש · value 373✦ dedicate this word
root עבר · value 322✦ dedicate this word
root אחרון · value 266✦ dedicate this word
root אכיש · value 441✦ dedicate this word

And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands; and David and his men passed on in the rearward with Achish.

verse value 3604

Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 55 letters. The shortest word is "and·David" (וְדָוִ֣ד, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·by·thousands" (וְלַאֲלָפִ֑ים, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 322: passed·on, passed·on. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "by·hundreds" (לְמֵא֖וֹת), "and·by·thousands" (וְלַאֲלָפִ֑ים), "in·the·last" (בָּאַחֲרֹנָ֖ה). The root עבר appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·David" (root דוד, 262x in I Samuel); "and·his·men" (root איש, 201x in I Samuel); "Philistines" (root פלשתי, 124x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·by·thousands', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְסַרְנֵ֤י [and·lords·of] (326) + פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ [Philistines] (860) + עֹֽבְרִ֔ים [passed·on] (322) + לְמֵא֖וֹת [by·hundreds] (477) + וְלַאֲלָפִ֑ים [and·by·thousands] (197) + וְדָוִ֣ד [and·David] (20) + וַאֲנָשָׁ֗יו [and·his·men] (373) + עֹ֥בְרִ֛ים [passed·on] (322) + בָּאַחֲרֹנָ֖ה [in·the·last] (266) + עִם־אָכִֽישׁ [with·Achish] (441) = 3604.
Radak
And the commanders of the Philistines passed by in hundreds and thousands. It does not say that the commanders themselves were hundreds and thousands, but rather that the commanders passed by with hundreds and thousands of men.
Ralbag
One might ask: How did David agree to go with Achish to fight against Israel? Rather, the resolution to this doubt is not from what would be difficult, but rather because David was compelled to fulfill Achish’s command due to being under his authority, and because of what he revealed to him, that he was constantly raiding Israel, in order to show him that David had become hated by his own people. And behold, the explanation of David’s thought in going to be a thorn in the side of the Philistines and to frustrate their counsel against Israel is that this was something that made his task easier, since they trusted in him.
Metzudat David
"And their leaders, etc." The leaders, along with their camps, were one hundred each, individually, until the completion of a thousand; and so too, each thousand was by itself.
Metzudat Zion
And the lords. A matter of lordship.
Malbim
And the lords of the Philistines were only five, as it is stated in many places. And beneath them were captains of thousands and captains of hundreds. And this that is written, “who passed by hundreds and by thousands,” means that after them passed hundreds and thousands with their captains, and David and his men passed last, because they did not take [part] in the battle except to guard the king’s head (as above, 28:1-2).
3 · · dedicate this verse

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ שָׂרֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים מָ֖ה הָעִבְרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אָכִ֜ישׁ אֶל־שָׂרֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים הֲלוֹא־זֶ֨ה דָוִ֜ד עֶ֣בֶד שָׁא֣וּל מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָיָ֤ה אִתִּי֙ זֶ֤ה יָמִים֙ אוֹ־זֶ֣ה שָׁנִ֔ים וְלֹֽא־מָצָ֤אתִי בוֹ֙ מְא֔וּמָה מִיּ֥וֹם נׇפְל֖וֹ עַד־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה

root אמר · value 263✦ dedicate this word
root שר · value 510✦ dedicate this word
root פלשתי · value 860✦ dedicate this word
root מה · value 45✦ dedicate this word
root עברי · value 327✦ dedicate this word
root אלה · value 41✦ dedicate this word
root אמר · value 257✦ dedicate this word
root אכיש · value 331✦ dedicate this word
root איל · value 541✦ dedicate this word
root פלשתי · value 860✦ dedicate this word
root לא · value 54✦ dedicate this word
root דוד · value 14✦ dedicate this word
root עבד · value 76✦ dedicate this word
root שאול · value 337✦ dedicate this word
root מלך · value 631✦ dedicate this word
root אשר · value 501✦ dedicate this word
root היה · value 20✦ dedicate this word
root את · value 411✦ dedicate this word
root זה · value 12✦ dedicate this word
root יום · value 100✦ dedicate this word
root אוזה · value 19✦ dedicate this word
root שנה · value 400✦ dedicate this word
root מצא · value 578✦ dedicate this word
root בו · value 8✦ dedicate this word
value 92✦ dedicate this word
root יום · value 96✦ dedicate this word
root נפל · value 166✦ dedicate this word
root יום · value 135✦ dedicate this word
root זה · value 17✦ dedicate this word

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 has been with me these days or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away to me to this day?’

verse value 7702

Insights
Verse structure: 29 words, 126 letters. The shortest word is "what" (מָ֖ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "king·Israel" (מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 860: Philistines, Philistines. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "to·princes·of" (אֶל־שָׂרֵ֣י), "king·Israel" (מֶלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל), "or·this" (אוֹ־זֶ֣ה). The root יום appears 3 times in this verse. 23 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·said" (root אמר, 418x in I Samuel); "David" (root דוד, 262x in I Samuel); "to·princes·of" (root איל, 238x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'these', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 23 words.
Rashi
From the day he fell in with me. From the day he encamped with me.
Radak
Or, [it means] "these years." But surely he was with him for only four months, as we have explained. Rather, its interpretation is: "He was with me for these days, and I know him well, as if he had been with me for these years." “From the day he fell.” “From the day he fell upon me,” meaning that he dwelled with me, as it is stated: “He fell upon all his brothers” (Genesis 25:18).
Metzudat David
"What are these Hebrews?" He meant to say: "What are they doing here?" These days. That he has dwelt with me in Gath: Or this: "Two years." That he dwelt in the cities of the countryside. "And I found not..." He means to say: From the day that he dwelt among us, whether when he was in Gath or when he was in the cities of the field, I found in him nothing evil.
Metzudat Zion
The Hebrews. So Israel is called, for on the other side of the river your fathers dwelt. Fell. Dwelt, similarly (Genesis 25:18): 'he dwelt upon the face of all his brothers'.
Malbim
The questions: What is written—that he had been with him these days or years—makes no sense; and also, did he not dwell in the land of the Philistines only four months, as mentioned above (27:2)? And the princes of the Philistines said: It is clear that the primary complaint was that he should not go with them to war at all, and upon this all the princes were indignant. It would not be so if the complaint had been only on account of the honor accorded to him, namely, that he was appointed as the king’s bodyguard; in that case, it would have been fitting for the complaint to come from the lords, who are close to the king to guard him, and this concerns their honor, not from all the princes. According to this, what the princes asked, “What are these Hebrews doing?”—Achish knew that they were complaining that he should not go out with them at all, because they did not trust him. And Achish answered them, saying that he relied on and trusted him for two reasons: 1. Is this not David, the servant of Saul? He is a servant who rebelled against his master, and surely he will take vengeance upon him when the time comes. 2. He has been with me these days or these years (meaning that he dwelt in the land of the Philistines for these days, which is days and four months; or we can count from the first time he fled alone to Achish, from that incident of rebellion, and it was two years). And from that time until now, I have found nothing in him, and we can rely on him.
4 · · dedicate this verse

וַיִּקְצְפ֨וּ עָלָ֜יו שָׂרֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ ל וֹ֩ שָׂרֵ֨י פְלִשְׁתִּ֜ים הָשֵׁ֣ב אֶת־הָאִ֗ישׁ וְיָשֹׁב֙ אֶל־מְקוֹמוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִפְקַדְתּ֣וֹ שָׁ֔ם וְלֹא־יֵרֵ֤ד עִמָּ֙נוּ֙ בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְלֹא־יִֽהְיֶה־לָּ֥נוּ לְשָׂטָ֖ן בַּמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וּבַמֶּ֗ה יִתְרַצֶּ֥ה זֶה֙ אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔יו הֲל֕ וֹא בְּרָאשֵׁ֖י הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָהֵֽם

root קצף · value 292✦ dedicate this word
root על · value 116✦ dedicate this word
root שר · value 510✦ dedicate this word
root פלשתי · value 860✦ dedicate this word
root אמר · value 263✦ dedicate this word
value 36✦ dedicate this word
root שר · value 510✦ dedicate this word
root פלשתי · value 860✦ dedicate this word
root שוב · value 307✦ dedicate this word
root איש · value 717✦ dedicate this word
root שוב · value 318✦ dedicate this word
root מקום · value 223✦ dedicate this word
root אשר · value 501✦ dedicate this word
root פקד · value 595✦ dedicate this word
root שם · value 340✦ dedicate this word
root ירד · value 251✦ dedicate this word
root עם · value 166✦ dedicate this word
root מלחמה · value 125✦ dedicate this word
root היה · value 153✦ dedicate this word
root שטן · value 389✦ dedicate this word
root מלחמה · value 125✦ dedicate this word
root מה · value 53✦ dedicate this word
root רצה · value 705✦ dedicate this word
root זה · value 12✦ dedicate this word
root אדון · value 102✦ dedicate this word
root לא · value 42✦ dedicate this word
root ראש · value 513✦ dedicate this word
root איש · value 406✦ dedicate this word
root הם · value 50✦ dedicate this word

But the princes of the Philistines were wroth 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 wherewith should this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? should it not be with the heads of these men?

verse value 9540

Insights
Verse structure: 29 words, 139 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (לוֹ֩) = 36, double chai. Verse gematria: 9540 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "to·him" (לוֹ֩, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·not·be·to·us" (וְלֹא־יִֽהְיֶה־לָּ֥נוּ, 10 letters). Words sharing gematria 860: Philistines, Philistines. 10 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "and·they·was·displeased" (וַיִּקְצְפ֨וּ), "send·back" (הָשֵׁ֣ב), "to·his·place" (אֶל־מְקוֹמוֹ֙). The root שר appears 2 times in this verse. 23 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·said" (root אמר, 418x in I Samuel); "where" (root אשר, 229x in I Samuel); "the·man" (root איש, 201x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'battle', dividing the verse into phrases of 21 and 8 words.
Radak
"Those men." The pronoun refers to themselves:
Metzudat David
"Upon him." Upon Achish: "Which you have entrusted him." Which you have left him to dwell there. "And it shall not be, etc." For lest it be added to our enemies and wage war against us. "And in what?" – This means: "And by what means can he appease his master Saul, to forgive him for having rebelled against him? Surely, by bringing our heads to him, he will be appeased toward him. And with that very intention he goes with us."
Metzudat Zion
You entrusted him. From the word 'entrusting' and 'placing'. To be an adversary. To create enmity and hostility, and similar to it (I Kings 11:14): 'and he arose as an adversary to Solomon'. He will be pleased. From the word 'pleasing'.
Malbim
(4-5) The questions: What is the meaning of “And by what shall he be appeased?” etc., “Is this not David?” etc.? This is a repetition of the same idea. Moreover, what difference does it make that they told him that he had struck down his ten thousands, since now he is going to their aid? And the princes of the Philistines were angry with him, and said, etc., “Send the man back” — they were insistent only about David himself, not about his men (who were already taking Hebrews into their army, as stated above, 14:21). And they said, “He shall not go down with us to the battle,” meaning: whether you take him to the battle, we say, “He shall not go down with us to the battle, for he will not fight against Saul”; or whether you take him to guard the king’s head, we say, “He shall not be for us a provocation in battle, for one cannot rely on him.” And they argued on this basis of a double dilemma: if he fled from his master because his master banished him due to his lack of faithful service, and his heart is set on returning to his master, then by what means will this man make amends with his master? Will it not be through the heads of those men? Here he will find a means to make amends with his master.

Cross-references: Numbers 16:14

5 · · dedicate this verse

הֲלוֹא־זֶ֣ה דָוִ֔ד אֲשֶׁ֧ר יַעֲנוּ־ל֛וֹ בַּמְּחֹל֖וֹת לֵאמֹ֑ר הִכָּ֤ה שָׁאוּל֙ בַּאֲלָפָ֔יו וְדָוִ֖ד בְּרִבְבֹתָֽו

root לא · value 54✦ dedicate this word
root דוד · value 14✦ dedicate this word
root אשר · value 501✦ dedicate this word
root ענה · value 172✦ dedicate this word
value 486✦ dedicate this word
root אמר · value 271✦ dedicate this word
root נכה · value 30✦ dedicate this word
root שאול · value 337✦ dedicate this word
root אלף · value 129✦ dedicate this word
root דוד · value 20✦ dedicate this word
root רבבה · value 612✦ dedicate this word

Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying: Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands?’

verse value 2626

Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 51 letters. Verse gematria: 2626 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "David" (דָוִ֔ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "is·not" (הֲלוֹא־זֶ֣ה, 6 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "they·sang·to·him" (יַעֲנוּ־ל֛וֹ), "by·his·thousands" (בַּאֲלָפָ֔יו). The root דוד appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "saying" (root אמר, 418x in I Samuel); "David" (root דוד, 262x in I Samuel); "whom" (root אשר, 229x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'saying', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: הֲלוֹא־זֶ֣ה [is·not] (54) + דָוִ֔ד [David] (14) + אֲשֶׁ֧ר [whom] (501) + יַעֲנוּ־ל֛וֹ [they·sang·to·him] (172) + בַּמְּחֹל֖וֹת [in·the·dances] (486) + לֵאמֹ֑ר [saying] (271) + הִכָּ֤ה [struck·down] (30) + שָׁאוּל֙ [Saul] (337) + בַּאֲלָפָ֔יו [by·his·thousands] (129) + וְדָוִ֖ד [and·David] (20) + בְּרִבְבֹתָֽו [in·his·myriads] (612) = 2626.
Radak
Is this not David? Since he is so mighty that they would say of him, “David with his tens of thousands,” we should guard ourselves against him, lest he become favorable toward us in the eyes of his master.
Metzudat David
"Who will answer him." [This refers to those] who raised their voice on his behalf during the dances, saying, "Strike," etc. And if so, he has always been hostile to the Philistines and strikes them, and one cannot rely on him.
Metzudat Zion
They will answer. A matter of raising the voice. With mecholot. The name of musical instruments.
Malbim
“Is it not so…” means to say: And if he fled and rebelled because he desired to exalt himself and reign in his stead, behold, even in this manner he will find a way to achieve his desire, for is this not David, to whom they sang with dances, who smote his ten thousands? Surely he will fight for us in time of war, so that they will sing this song for him even now. And regarding this it is said: “to whom they sang.”
6 · · dedicate this verse

וַיִּקְרָ֨א אָכִ֜ישׁ אֶל־דָּוִ֗ד וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵ֠לָ֠יו חַי־יְהֹוָ֞ה כִּֽי־יָשָׁ֣ר אַתָּ֗ה וְט֣וֹב בְּ֠עֵינַ֠י צֵאתְךָ֨ וּבֹאֲךָ֤ אִתִּי֙ בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה כִּ֠י לֹֽא־מָצָ֤אתִֽי בְךָ֙ רָעָ֔ה מִיּ֛וֹם בֹּאֲךָ֥ אֵלַ֖י עַד־הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וּבְעֵינֵ֥י הַסְּרָנִ֖ים לֹא־ט֥וֹב אָֽתָּה

root קרא · value 317✦ dedicate this word
root אכיש · value 331✦ dedicate this word
root איל · value 45✦ dedicate this word
root אמר · value 257✦ dedicate this word
root אל · value 47✦ dedicate this word
root יהוה · value 44✦ dedicate this word
root ישר · value 540✦ dedicate this word
root אתה · value 406✦ dedicate this word
root טוב · value 23✦ dedicate this word
root עין · value 142✦ dedicate this word
root יצא · value 511✦ dedicate this word
root בוא · value 29✦ dedicate this word
root את · value 411✦ dedicate this word
root מחנה · value 105✦ dedicate this word
root כי · value 30✦ dedicate this word
root מצא · value 572✦ dedicate this word
root בך · value 22✦ dedicate this word
root רעה · value 275✦ dedicate this word
root יום · value 96✦ dedicate this word
root בוא · value 23✦ dedicate this word
root אל · value 41✦ dedicate this word
root יום · value 135✦ dedicate this word
root זה · value 17✦ dedicate this word
root עין · value 148✦ dedicate this word
root סרן · value 365✦ dedicate this word
root טוב · value 48✦ dedicate this word
root אתה · value 406✦ dedicate this word

Then Achish called David, and said to him: ‘As Hashem lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the host 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 favour you not.

verse value 5386

Insights
Verse structure: 27 words, 115 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֠י, 2 letters) and the longest is "not·I·found" (לֹֽא־מָצָ֤אתִֽי, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 406: you, you. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "for·upright" (כִּֽי־יָשָׁ֣ר), "your·going·out" (צֵאתְךָ֨), "and·your·coming·in" (וּבֹאֲךָ֤). The root אל appears 2 times in this verse. 21 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 418x in I Samuel); "Hashem·lives" (root יהוה, 316x in I Samuel); "to·David" (root איל, 238x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'this', dividing the verse into phrases of 23 and 4 words.
Radak
"As the Lord liveth." For all agree that He is the First Cause; and because he was swearing to David, he swore by the Name in which David believes.
Metzudat David
"For you are upright, etc.": I hold you as an upright and trustworthy man, and it is good in my eyes that you come with me into battle. "And in my eyes." But "in my eyes," etc.
Malbim
And Achish called. Behold, Achish did not wish to reveal to him that his officers suspected him of being untrustworthy in their eyes, lest he become distressed. Rather, he wished to tell him that the primary objection arose from jealousy and matters of honor, because David had been appointed as his personal bodyguard. According to this objection, the grievance originates from the lords (whom the matter concerns), not from the officers. They take issue only with his walking alongside Achish—that is, serving as his personal guard—not with his participation in battle. Therefore, since Achish did not wish to diminish David’s honor by having him go to war as one of the common soldiers, he advised him to return home, while his men would go with the rest of the army. This is what is written: ‘As the Lord lives, you are upright; therefore, your going out and your coming in with me is good in my eyes’—specifically, to serve as my personal guard. However, in the eyes of the lords, you are not good, for they take offense at this, as it contradicts their honor.”
7 · · dedicate this verse

וְעַתָּ֥ה שׁ֖וּב וְלֵ֣ךְ בְּשָׁל֑ וֹם וְלֹא־תַעֲשֶׂ֣ה רָ֔ע בְּעֵינֵ֖י סַרְנֵ֥י פְלִשְׁתִּֽים

root עתה · value 481✦ dedicate this word
root שוב · value 308✦ dedicate this word
root הלך · value 56✦ dedicate this word
root שלום · value 378✦ dedicate this word
root עשה · value 812✦ dedicate this word
root רע · value 270✦ dedicate this word
root עין · value 142✦ dedicate this word
root סרן · value 320✦ dedicate this word
root פלשתי · value 860✦ dedicate this word

Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that you displease not the lords of the Philistines.’

verse value 3627

Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 39 letters. Verse gematria: 3627 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "evil" (רָ֔ע, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·not·do" (וְלֹא־תַעֲשֶׂ֣ה, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "in·peace" (בְּשָׁל֑וֹם). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·go" (root הלך, 133x in I Samuel); "Philistines" (root פלשתי, 124x in I Samuel); "and·not·do" (root עשה, 79x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·peace', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְעַתָּ֥ה [now] (481) + שׁ֖וּב [return] (308) + וְלֵ֣ךְ [and·go] (56) + בְּשָׁל֑וֹם [in·peace] (378) + וְלֹא־תַעֲשֶׂ֣ה [and·not·do] (812) + רָ֔ע [evil] (270) + בְּעֵינֵ֖י [in·eyes·of] (142) + סַרְנֵ֥י [lords·of] (320) + פְלִשְׁתִּֽים [Philistines] (860) = 3627.
Metzudat David
"And you shall not do evil." This refers to that which is considered evil in the eyes of the rulers.
Malbim
And now return. That is to say: “Thy men may go with my men, but thou, return, and do not act wickedly in the eyes of the lords of the Philistines; I do not want them to provoke you.”
8 · · dedicate this verse

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר דָּוִ֜ד אֶל־אָכִ֗ישׁ כִּ֣י מֶ֤ה עָשִׂ֙יתִי֙ וּמַה־מָּצָ֣אתָ בְעַבְדְּךָ֔ מִיּוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָיִ֣יתִי לְפָנֶ֔יךָ עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֣י לֹ֤א אָבוֹא֙ וְנִלְחַ֔מְתִּי בְּאֹיְבֵ֖י אֲדֹנִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ

root אמר · value 257✦ dedicate this word
root דוד · value 14✦ dedicate this word
root אכיש · value 362✦ dedicate this word
root כי · value 30✦ dedicate this word
root מה · value 45✦ dedicate this word
root עשה · value 790✦ dedicate this word
root מצא · value 582✦ dedicate this word
root עבד · value 98✦ dedicate this word
root יום · value 96✦ dedicate this word
root אשר · value 501✦ dedicate this word
root היה · value 435✦ dedicate this word
root פנים · value 190✦ dedicate this word
root עד · value 74✦ dedicate this word
root יום · value 61✦ dedicate this word
root זה · value 17✦ dedicate this word
root כי · value 30✦ dedicate this word
root לא · value 31✦ dedicate this word
root בוא · value 10✦ dedicate this word
root לחם · value 544✦ dedicate this word
root איב · value 25✦ dedicate this word
root אדון · value 65✦ dedicate this word
root מלך · value 95✦ dedicate this word

And David said to Achish: ‘But what have I done? and 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?’

verse value 4352

Insights
Verse structure: 22 words, 89 letters. The shortest word is "but" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·what·have·you·found" (וּמַה־מָּצָ֣אתָ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 30: but, that. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "and·what·have·you·found" (וּמַה־מָּצָ֣אתָ), "in·your·servant" (בְעַבְדְּךָ֔), "I·was" (הָיִ֣יתִי). The root כי appears 2 times in this verse. 20 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 418x in I Samuel); "David" (root דוד, 262x in I Samuel); "that" (root אשר, 229x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'this', dividing the verse into phrases of 15 and 7 words.
Metzudat David
"For what? Why should I return, for what have I done, an evil deed?"
Malbim
And David said: David understood the truth, that the strictness [of the lords] was due to the suspicion with which they suspected him, not out of jealousy or honor, but only because they did not want him to go to war at all. And he rejoiced in his heart over this, but he desired that his men also return and not fight against their brethren. And he answered with cunning: although the lords are strict that the king’s bodyguard not be present, nevertheless, why should he not go to war like his men? For this would not prevent him unless there were some suspicion upon him. And this is what is written: “For what have I done? … For I will not come and fight against the enemies of my lord the king.” He meant to say: even if I do not go out with you to be your bodyguard, why should I not go out to war as one of the people?
9 · · dedicate this verse

וַיַּ֣עַן אָכִישׁ֮ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֶל־דָּוִד֒ יָדַ֕עְתִּי כִּ֣י ט֥וֹב אַתָּ֛ה בְּעֵינַ֖י כְּמַלְאַ֣ךְ אֱלֹהִ֑ים אַ֣ךְ שָׂרֵ֤י פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ אָֽמְר֔וּ לֹא־יַעֲלֶ֥ה עִמָּ֖נוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה

root ענה · value 136✦ dedicate this word
root אכיש · value 331✦ dedicate this word
root אמר · value 257✦ dedicate this word
root איל · value 45✦ dedicate this word
root ידע · value 494✦ dedicate this word
root כי · value 30✦ dedicate this word
root טוב · value 17✦ dedicate this word
root אתה · value 406✦ dedicate this word
root עין · value 142✦ dedicate this word
root מלאך · value 111✦ dedicate this word
root אלהים · value 86✦ dedicate this word
root אך · value 21✦ dedicate this word
root שר · value 510✦ dedicate this word
root פלשתי · value 860✦ dedicate this word
root אמר · value 247✦ dedicate this word
root עלה · value 146✦ dedicate this word
root עם · value 166✦ dedicate this word
root מלחמה · value 125✦ dedicate this word

And Achish answered and said to 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.

verse value 4130

Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 77 letters. Notable word values: "God" (אֱלֹהִ֑ים) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "that" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "Philistines" (פְלִשְׁתִּים֙, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "as·messenger·of" (כְּמַלְאַ֣ךְ). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·said" (root אמר, 418x in I Samuel); "to·David" (root איל, 238x in I Samuel); "that" (root כי, 161x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'God', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 7 words.
Metzudat David
"I know. Indeed, I know that no evil is found in you, for you are good, etc.:"
Malbim
And Achish answered: Now Achish was compelled to tell him the truth, namely that the objection came from the officers generally, not from the lords, and the concern was that he not go out to war at all. And thus he was compelled to say to him now (so as not to shame him by himself, before the whole of his men) that they should all return. And this was indeed what David desired. And this is what is written: “I know that you are good in my eyes, like the angel of God.” This means: Your going out to war seemed to me like an angel going at the head of the camp to subdue their enemies under their feet. But the officers of the Philistines said, “He shall not go up with us to war.” What can I do, since the officers are concerned about this and suspect you?
10 · · dedicate this verse

וְעַתָּה֙ הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וְעַבְדֵ֥י אֲדֹנֶ֖יךָ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣אוּ אִתָּ֑ךְ וְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּ֣ם בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וְא֥וֹר לָכֶ֖ם וָלֵֽכוּ

root עתה · value 481✦ dedicate this word
root שכם · value 365✦ dedicate this word
root בקר · value 304✦ dedicate this word
root עבד · value 92✦ dedicate this word
root אדון · value 85✦ dedicate this word
root אשר · value 510✦ dedicate this word
root את · value 421✦ dedicate this word
root שכם · value 811✦ dedicate this word
root בקר · value 304✦ dedicate this word
root אור · value 213✦ dedicate this word
root לכם · value 90✦ dedicate this word
root הלך · value 62✦ dedicate this word

Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with the servants of your lord that are come with you; and as soon as you are up early in the morning, and have light, depart.’

verse value 3738

Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 53 letters. The shortest word is "with·you" (אִתָּ֑ךְ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·rise·early" (וְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּ֣ם, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 304: in·the·morning, in·the·morning. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "and·servants·of" (וְעַבְדֵ֥י), "that·came" (אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣אוּ), "and·rise·early" (וְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּ֣ם). The root שכם appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that·came" (root אשר, 229x in I Samuel); "and·go" (root הלך, 133x in I Samuel); "and·servants·of" (root עבד, 71x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'with·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְעַתָּה֙ [now] (481) + הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם [rise·early] (365) + בַּבֹּ֔קֶר [in·the·morning] (304) + וְעַבְדֵ֥י [and·servants·of] (92) + אֲדֹנֶ֖יךָ [your·master] (85) + אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣אוּ [that·came] (510) + אִתָּ֑ךְ [with·you] (421) + וְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּ֣ם [and·rise·early] (811) + בַּבֹּ֔קֶר [in·the·morning] (304) + וְא֥וֹר [and·it·is·light] (213) + לָכֶ֖ם [to·you] (90) + וָלֵֽכוּ [and·go] (62) = 3738.
Radak
“And your servants, your master’s servants.” That is to say, the men who came with you also became loathsome in the sight of their master, Saul. "And there shall be light for you in the morning." When the day breaks for you, go forth.
Ralbag
"And the servants of your lord who came with you" — these are David's men, for he did not wish that they should return, but only the servants. "And you shall rise early in the morning, and there shall be light for you, and you shall go forth." This means: immediately when there is light for you. And he said this to him so that they would not endanger themselves by means of the men of war.
Metzudat David
“And the servants of your lord.” This means: Your men, who had long been the servants of Saul your master, and who had become corrupt in his service just as you have, as if to say: For this reason, they too are suspected in the eyes of the princes, just as you are, and therefore they will return with you. "And it shall be light for you." When the day dawns for you, go on your way.
Malbim
And now, rise early in the morning and serve your master; and according to this, you shall all return. Therefore, he said that they should rise early in the morning, because it would be a disgrace for them to leave the camp; therefore, they should go early in the morning, before any man recognizes his fellow (unlike initially, when he desired only David to return, and regarding a single individual, no one pays attention). And the explanation of his words, "and you shall rise early in the morning, and it shall be light for you, and you shall go," means that the departure shall be in the morning, and the journey shall be during the time of daylight, in good condition.
11 · · dedicate this verse

וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם דָּוִ֜ד ה֤וּא וַאֲנָשָׁיו֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת בַּבֹּ֔קֶר לָשׁ֖וּב אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים עָל֥ וּ יִזְרְעֶֽאל

root שכם · value 376✦ dedicate this word
root דוד · value 14✦ dedicate this word
root הוא · value 12✦ dedicate this word
root איש · value 373✦ dedicate this word
root הלך · value 480✦ dedicate this word
root בקר · value 304✦ dedicate this word
root שוב · value 338✦ dedicate this word
root איל · value 322✦ dedicate this word
root פלשתי · value 860✦ dedicate this word
root פלשתי · value 866✦ dedicate this word
root עלה · value 106✦ dedicate this word
root יזרעאל · value 318✦ dedicate this word

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.

verse value 4369

Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 56 letters. The shortest word is "David" (דָּוִ֜ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·the·Philistines" (וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Samuel. Unique to this verse in I Samuel (hapax): "Jezreel" (יִזְרְעֶֽאל). The root פלשתי appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "David" (root דוד, 262x in I Samuel); "to·land·of" (root איל, 238x in I Samuel); "and·his·men" (root איש, 201x in I Samuel). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Philistines', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם [and·rose·early] (376) + דָּוִ֜ד [David] (14) + ה֤וּא [he] (12) + וַאֲנָשָׁיו֙ [and·his·men] (373) + לָלֶ֣כֶת [to·depart] (480) + בַּבֹּ֔קֶר [in·the·morning] (304) + לָשׁ֖וּב [to·return] (338) + אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ [to·land·of] (322) + פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים [Philistines] (860) + וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים [and·the·Philistines] (866) + עָל֥וּ [they·went·up] (106) + יִזְרְעֶֽאל [Jezreel] (318) = 4369.

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