1 Samuel 29:9

9 And A'chish made answer to David, "I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the commanders of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.'

1 Samuel 29:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 29:9

And Achish answered and said unto David
In reply to the questions:

I know that thou [art] good in my sight as an angel of God:
for his great wisdom, and graceful behaviour, and inoffensive carriage:

notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, he shall not
go up with us to the battle;
though Achish had so good an opinion of him, and had declared it in council, yet an order had passed there that he should not go to battle with them; there were but five of them, and Achish was one of the five, so that there were four to one for the dismissing him; and Achish, though a king, was obliged to submit.

1 Samuel 29:9 In-Context

7 So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines."

8 And David said to A'chish, "But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?"

9 And A'chish made answer to David, "I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the commanders of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.'

10 Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you; and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light."

11 So David set out with his men early in the morning, to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel.