1 Samuel 29

Philistines Reject David

1 The Philistines brought all their military units together at Aphek while Israel was camped by the spring in Jezreel.

2 As the Philistine leaders were passing [in review with their units of] hundreds and thousands, David and his men were passing [in review] behind them with Achish.

3 Then the Philistine commanders asked, "What are these Hebrews [doing here]?" Achish answered the Philistine commanders, "That is David, servant of King Saul of Israel. He has been with me a considerable period of time.^[a] From the day he defected until today, I've found no fault with him."^[b]

4 The Philistine commanders, however, were enraged with Achish and told him, "Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the battle. What better way could he regain his master's favor than with the heads of our men?

5 Isn't this the David they sing about during their dances: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands?"^[c]

6 So Achish summoned David and told him, "As the Lord lives, you are an honorable man. I think it is good^[d] to have you working^[e] with me in the camp, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until today. But the leaders don't think you are reliable.

7 Now go back quietly and you won't be doing [anything] the Philistine leaders think is wrong."

8 "But what have I done?" David replied to Achish. "From the first day I was with you until today, what have you found against your servant to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?"

9 Achish answered David, "I'm convinced that you are as reliable as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders have said, 'He must not go into battle with us.'

10 So get up early in the morning, you and your masters' servants who came with you.^[f] When you've all gotten up early, go as soon as it's light."

11 So David and his men got up early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

1 Samuel 29 Commentary

Chapter 29

David objected to by the Philistines. (1-5) He is dismissed by Achish. (6-11)

Verses 1-5 David waited with a secret hope that the Lord would help him out of his difficulty. But he seems to have been influenced too much by the fear of man, in consenting to attend Achish. It is hard to come near to the brink of sin, and not to fall in. God inclined the princes of the Philistines to oppose David's being employed in the battle. Thus their dislike befriended him, when no friend could do him such a kindness.

Verses 6-11 David scarcely ever had a greater deliverance than when dismissed from such insnaring service. God's people should always behave themselves so, as, if possible, to get the good word of all they have dealings with: and it is due to those who have acted well, to speak well of them.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hb obscure
• [b]. 1 Sm 27:4-12
• [c]. 1 Sm 18:7; 21:11
• [d]. Lit It was good in my eyes
• [e]. Lit you going out and coming in
• [f]. LXX adds and go to the place I appointed you to. Don't take this evil matter to heart, for you are good before me.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 29

This chapter gives an account of David's going forth with the armies of the Philistines, 1Sa 29:1,2; of his being objected to by the princes of the Philistines, who insisted upon his being sent back, 1Sa 29:3-5; of the report Achish made of it to David, and the discourse that passed between them upon it, 1Sa 29:6-10; whereby David had a way unexpectedly opened for him to be freed from this service, which he gladly embraced, 1Sa 29:11.