1. 1 Samuel 29:2 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean that the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands?

1 Samuel 29:2 (ESV)

2 As the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear with Achish,

Military units were traditionally grouped into companies of varying sizes. The numbers listed indicate the size of these companies rather than the actual number of men. These numbers are therefore to be understood as figurative rather than literal.1