I Samuel 29: God's Providential Hand in David's Dilemma
Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
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.
Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the Lord liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art 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.
Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
I Samuel 29 presents a critical juncture in David's life, interwoven with the impending doom of Saul and the Israelite army. While chronologically preceding the events of I Samuel 28, the narrative of Saul's encounter with the medium at Endor spiritually sets the stage for the tragic events that follow. This chapter reveals God's providential intervention in David's life, rescuing him from a precarious situation and ultimately shaping the course of Israel's history.
David's Predicament in Philistine Territory (I Samuel 29:1-5)
Following I Samuel 27:12, David and his six hundred men found themselves in a challenging position: residing in Philistine territory and seemingly obligated to serve the Philistines in military campaigns against their own people, the Israelites. This was a moral tightrope for David, a man chosen by God to lead Israel. The Philistine army gathered at Aphek, preparing for battle against Israel, and David was expected to join their ranks. This expectation created an immense internal conflict for David, whose loyalty to God and his people was undeniable.
However, God's hand was at work. The Philistine commanders voiced their suspicions about David's true intentions. They questioned Achish, the king of Gath, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" (I Samuel 29:3). Achish, confident in David's loyalty, proudly vouched for him, citing his perceived allegiance since defecting from Saul. Yet, the other commanders, remembering David's past exploits and fearing treachery, were not convinced. They recognized the danger of trusting David, fearing he might turn against them in the heat of battle to reconcile with Saul. The song sung about David in Israel, glorifying his victories over the Philistines, still echoed in Philistia (I Samuel 29:5), fueling their distrust. This highlights the enduring impact of reputation and the long memories people hold, especially in matters of conflict.
Achish's Dilemma and David's Relief (I Samuel 29:6-8)
The Philistine army was governed by five commanders, representing the major cities of their kingdom. Though Achish trusted David, the collective concern of the other commanders outweighed his single opinion. Reluctantly, Achish summoned David and informed him of the decision. David was dismissed from military service, and was ordered to return to Ziklag. David, no doubt, was secretly relieved to be spared from fighting against Israel. However, he maintained his facade of loyalty to Achish, feigning disappointment and emphasizing his past service to the Philistines (I Samuel 29:8). This demonstrates David's political savvy and his ability to navigate complex situations with grace and discretion.
David's Departure and the Looming Tragedy (I Samuel 29:9-11)
Despite Achish's personal belief in David's loyalty, he was bound by the decision of the other Philistine commanders. David and his men were instructed to depart at dawn the next day, ensuring they would not interfere with the impending battle. "So David and his men got up early in the morning to leave, to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Aphek" (I Samuel 29:11). They returned to Ziklag, unaware of the tragedy that awaited them. This sets the stage for the events of I Samuel 30, where David's leadership would be tested by the devastating raid of the Amalekites.
I Samuel 29 reveals God's providential care for David, shielding him from the moral compromise of fighting against his own people. It also foreshadows the impending tragedy that will befall Saul and Israel. The chapter serves as a reminder that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes, even in the midst of challenging circumstances. David's story in this chapter is a powerful illustration of faith, resilience, and God's unwavering faithfulness. While David faced immense pressure and uncertainty, God intervened to protect him and guide him towards his ultimate destiny. This is a timeless message of hope and encouragement for all believers facing difficult situations.
Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
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.
Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the Lord liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art 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.
Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
I Samuel 29 presents a critical juncture in David's life, interwoven with the impending doom of Saul and the Israelite army. While chronologically preceding the events of I Samuel 28, the narrative of Saul's encounter with the medium at Endor spiritually sets the stage for the tragic events that follow. This chapter reveals God's providential intervention in David's life, rescuing him from a precarious situation and ultimately shaping the course of Israel's history.
David's Predicament in Philistine Territory (I Samuel 29:1-5)
Following I Samuel 27:12, David and his six hundred men found themselves in a challenging position: residing in Philistine territory and seemingly obligated to serve the Philistines in military campaigns against their own people, the Israelites. This was a moral tightrope for David, a man chosen by God to lead Israel. The Philistine army gathered at Aphek, preparing for battle against Israel, and David was expected to join their ranks. This expectation created an immense internal conflict for David, whose loyalty to God and his people was undeniable.
However, God's hand was at work. The Philistine commanders voiced their suspicions about David's true intentions. They questioned Achish, the king of Gath, "What are these Hebrews doing here?" (I Samuel 29:3). Achish, confident in David's loyalty, proudly vouched for him, citing his perceived allegiance since defecting from Saul. Yet, the other commanders, remembering David's past exploits and fearing treachery, were not convinced. They recognized the danger of trusting David, fearing he might turn against them in the heat of battle to reconcile with Saul. The song sung about David in Israel, glorifying his victories over the Philistines, still echoed in Philistia (I Samuel 29:5), fueling their distrust. This highlights the enduring impact of reputation and the long memories people hold, especially in matters of conflict.
Achish's Dilemma and David's Relief (I Samuel 29:6-8)
The Philistine army was governed by five commanders, representing the major cities of their kingdom. Though Achish trusted David, the collective concern of the other commanders outweighed his single opinion. Reluctantly, Achish summoned David and informed him of the decision. David was dismissed from military service, and was ordered to return to Ziklag. David, no doubt, was secretly relieved to be spared from fighting against Israel. However, he maintained his facade of loyalty to Achish, feigning disappointment and emphasizing his past service to the Philistines (I Samuel 29:8). This demonstrates David's political savvy and his ability to navigate complex situations with grace and discretion.
David's Departure and the Looming Tragedy (I Samuel 29:9-11)
Despite Achish's personal belief in David's loyalty, he was bound by the decision of the other Philistine commanders. David and his men were instructed to depart at dawn the next day, ensuring they would not interfere with the impending battle. "So David and his men got up early in the morning to leave, to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Aphek" (I Samuel 29:11). They returned to Ziklag, unaware of the tragedy that awaited them. This sets the stage for the events of I Samuel 30, where David's leadership would be tested by the devastating raid of the Amalekites.
I Samuel 29 reveals God's providential care for David, shielding him from the moral compromise of fighting against his own people. It also foreshadows the impending tragedy that will befall Saul and Israel. The chapter serves as a reminder that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes, even in the midst of challenging circumstances. David's story in this chapter is a powerful illustration of faith, resilience, and God's unwavering faithfulness. While David faced immense pressure and uncertainty, God intervened to protect him and guide him towards his ultimate destiny. This is a timeless message of hope and encouragement for all believers facing difficult situations.