Definition: And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from 1 Samuel 29:2. It’s a really important story about God’s favor and David’s rise to power. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: “And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands…” – This describes how many people the Philistines (a group of people living near the coast) were – they were a large and powerful group. “…but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.” – This is where it gets interesting. “Rereward” means rewarded, and "Achish" was a king who was very important to David. It means David and his men were chosen and favored by this king. Let's unpack it: The Philistines: Think of them as enemies of Israel. They were a group of people living in the area near the coast, and they often harassed the Israelites. David and his men: This refers to David’s army and soldiers. “Rereward” - This is key! It means that God chose David to be a leader and gave him special privileges – like being favored by the gods and having strength in battle. "Achish" – This was a powerful king who was very important to David, likely a royal figure. So, what’s happening? This verse tells us that God chose David to be a leader, and because of this favor, he and his men were blessed and given strength in battle. It suggests that God's favor is tied to the actions and choices of those He chooses to lead. In short: God chose David to be strong and successful, and through that choice, He gave him a special blessing and protection. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about the story of David?