29:1 The Philistines had gathered. This notice resumes the account initiated in 28:1, 2 but suspended in order to relate Saul’s visit with the medium (28:3–25).

Aphek. Probably the same Aphek mentioned in 4:1 (note), twenty-eight miles north of Gath. The Philistines assembled their forces at Aphek before continuing their northward march (v. 2).

Jezreel. North of Mount Gilboa, a few miles south of Shunem, and forty miles northeast of Aphek.