1 Samuel 29:8

8 And David said to Achish, And what have I done, and what hast thou found in me thy servant, from the day in which I was (first) in thy sight till into this day, that I come not, and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?

1 Samuel 29:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 29:8

And David said unto Achish, what have I done?
&c.] This question is anticipated by the speech of Achish, who had declared he had found no evil in him; but David must say something to put on an appearance of concern for being dismissed, when he was heartily glad of it:

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?
which cannot be excused of great dissimulation, since nothing was more foreign from his heart, and against his will, than fighting against the Israelites, and which he determined to avoid if possible; and glad at heart he was to be thus excused, and freed from the straits and difficulties he was involved in; but that the Philistines might have no cause of suspicion of him, and that he was warmly attached to their interest among whom he was still to continue, he put on these airs. Abarbinel is of opinion that the lords of the Philistines were only afraid of David, but not of his men, and therefore were not solicitous about their going, but his, which gave David a concern; and since he was particularly singled out, he desired to know what special evil had been found in him; but when he understood, by the following answer of Achish, that his servants were to go with him, he was content, and said no more; but the princes asked, "what do these Hebrews here?" ( 1 Samuel 29:3 ) .

1 Samuel 29:8 In-Context

6 Therefore Achish called David, and said to him, (As) The Lord liveth; for thou art rightful (for thou art upright), and good in my sight, and thy going out and thy coming in is with me in [the] tents, and I have not found in thee anything of evil, from the day in which thou camest to me till to this day; but thou pleasest not the princes, or satraps.

7 Therefore turn thou again, and go in peace (And so return thou, and go home in peace), and offend thou not the eyes of the princes, or satraps, of the Philistines.

8 And David said to Achish, And what have I done, and what hast thou found in me thy servant, from the day in which I was (first) in thy sight till into this day, that I come not, and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?

9 And Achish answered, and spake to David, (and said,) I know that thou art good, and (be) as the angel of God in my eyes; but the princes of Philistines said, He shall not go up with us into battle.

10 Therefore rise thou up early, thou, and thy servants that came with thee; and when ye have risen by night, and it beginneth to be clear day, go ye forth. (And so rise thou up early, thou, and thy servants who came with thee; and when ye have risen in the night, and it beginneth to be clear daylight, then go ye forth.)