The narrative that began in 28:1ff continues. To understand the movements of the troops, one must consider the position of the Plain of Esdraelon, which runs from west to east, north of Carmel, separating the central tribes from those in the south. The Philistines have advanced from the coast and entered the plain from the west. Saul’s troops are moving down from Shechem toward the eastern part of the plain. They are gathering or retreating to the mountainous region south of Jezreel because they believe they are stronger in the mountains than on the plain. It is a full-scale campaign, more ambitious than the previous incursions from the coast into the hills through valleys and gorges. Each of the five Philistine princes assembles his troops, and there is a unified command. Mercenary soldiers were common at that time, but the battalion of deserters commanded by David cannot be trusted in battle against the Israelites. Unexpectedly, without any explicit intervention from God, David is spared from raising his hand against his people. The narrator takes this moment to gather foreign testimonies praising his hero, quoting the famous refrain of the Israelite girls once again.