1 Samuel 29

1 Samuel 29

Morgan - The princes of the Philistines were wroth with him.—1 Sam. 29.4. These princes were wroth with Achish for allowing David to accompany the Philistines in their campaign against Israel. David's sojourn with Achish had resulted in his being compelled to join the Philistine army in its preparation for attacking the Israelites. The Philistine lords seemed suddenly to have realized the danger of this proceeding. They were familiar with the song which had celebrated his prowess, and his victories over them; and they felt that they dared not trust him in the day of battle. It is perhaps idle for us to speculate as to what the result would have been, had he been allowed to remain. On the basis of policy their objection was probably justified. Achish seems to have formed a high estimate of him, and a strong affection for him, but he was compelled to yield to the majority. There can be no doubt that it was not in the purpose of God that His anointed king should be placed in circumstances of such difficulty. Here, then, along the line of perfectly natural emotions, God is seen acting on behalf of His servant. He made the wrath of the princes praise Him, in that it accomplished His purpose. When once we have seen the fact of the Divine government, it seems impossible not to see it. It operates everywhere. It controls all circumstances, and all men, in spite of themselves, and often unknowingly to them, so that they contribute to the realization of the will of God, and the accomplishment of His purposes. (Borrow Life applications from every chapter of the Bible) 1 Samuel 29:5 "Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands'?" 1Sa 18:6,7 21:11 Pr 27:14 1 Samuel 29 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PHILISTINE COMMANDERS SUPPORT THEIR ARGUMENT Is this not David, of whom they sing in the dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands - The Philistine commanders ask Achish a rhetorical question to remind him of David's reputation in slaying his ten thousands, undoubtedly including Philistines in those numbers! They could have reminded Achish that it was David who had beheaded Goliath, one of Gath's "favorite sons." 1 Samuel 29:6 Then Achish called David and said to him, "As the LORD lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army are pleasing in my sight; for I have not found evil in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, you are not pleasing in the sight of the lords. the Lord: 1Sa 20:3 28:10 De 10:20 Isa 65:16 Jer 12:16 thou hast: Mt 5:16 1Pe 2:12 3:16 going: Nu 27:17 2Sa 3:25 2Ki 19:27 Ps 121:8 I have not: 1Sa 29:3 Heb. thou art not good in the eyes of the lords, Ge 16:6 Jos 22:30 1 Samuel 29 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ACHISH CAPITULATES TO THE COMMANDERS Then - Marks progression in the narrative and success in the arguments of the Philistine commanders. Achish called David and said to him, "As the LORD lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army are pleasing in my sight; for I have not found evil in you from the day of your coming to me to this day - Achish is almost apologetic to David rehearsing how pleasing and faithful David had been to him. Notice that Achish uses the name of Yahweh which makes one wonder whether David had carried out to Yahwistic evangelism with this idol worshipping king? As an aside, this is the first mention of LORD since David defected to Ziklag and it is from the mouth of a pagan king, who also mentions the next word "God" (1Sa 29:9)! We will not hear these words from David until 1Sa 30:6 when "David strengthened himself in the LORD his God!" Nevertheless (term of contrast), you are not pleasing in the sight of the lords - Literally “But in the eyes of the lords you are not good.” The contrast (introduced by "nevertheless") was that David's presence did not please the other Philistine lords. Surely David's heart was glad to hear this unexpected turn of events which would allow him to not have to fight against his own people! He problem feels that the tangled web he had woven to this point was miraculously untangled, but the worse was yet to come! 1 Samuel 29:7 "Now therefore return and go in peace, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines." BGT 1 Samuel 29:7 καὶ νῦν ἀνάστρεφε καὶ πορεύου εἰς εἰρήνην καὶ οὐ μὴ ποιήσεις κακίαν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς τῶν σατραπῶν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων LXE 1 Samuel 29:7 Now then return and go in peace, thus thou shalt not do evil in the sight of the lords of the Philistines. KJV 1 Samuel 29:7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines. NET 1 Samuel 29:7 So turn and leave in peace. You must not do anything that the leaders of the Philistines consider improper!" CSB 1 Samuel 29:7 Now go back quietly and you won't be doing anything the Philistine leaders think is wrong." ESV 1 Samuel 29:7 So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines." NIV 1 Samuel 29:7 Turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers." NLT 1 Samuel 29:7 Please don't upset them, but go back quietly." NRS 1 Samuel 29:7 So go back now; and go peaceably; do nothing to displease the lords of the Philistines." NJB 1 Samuel 29:7 So go home, in peace, rather than antagonise them.' NAB 1 Samuel 29:7 Withdraw peaceably, now, and do nothing that might displease the Philistine lords." YLT 1 Samuel 29:7 and now, turn back, and go in peace, and thou dost do no evil in the eyes of the princes of the Philistines.' GWN 1 Samuel 29:7 So leave peacefully without doing anything to displease the Philistine rulers." BBE 1 Samuel 29:7 So now go back, and go in peace, so that you do not make the lords of the Philistines angry. displease: Nu 22:34 1 Samuel 29 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ACHISH COMMANDS DAVID TO RETURN Now therefore return and go in peace - Achish gives David two commands, making it clear he is to separate from the Philistine forces. You can almost hear David breathe a sigh of relief! Once again God stepped in to protect his anointed who was about to begin his reign! That (introduces purpose) you may not displease (lit "do evil) the lords of the Philistines - Literally "and you must not do evil in the eyes of the leaders of the Philistines." 1 Samuel 29:8 David said to Achish, "But what have I done? And what have you found in your servant from the day when I came before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" But what have: 1Sa 12:3 17:29 20:8 26:18 that I may not: 1Sa 28:2 2Sa 16:18,19 Ps 34:13,14 Mt 6:13 1 Samuel 29 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DAVID'S PROTEST David said to Achish, "But what have I done? - We as the readers are thinking "David just be quiet!" It is as if David feels the need to continue his deception of Achish. And what have you found in your servant from the day when I came before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king? - One has to ask is David really being serious asking this question? He would seem to be running the risk that Achish might have a change of heart. We want David just to "stand down" at this point! Some writers however propose that David's words might signify a lapse in his judgment and a promise to actually fight with Achish against his own Israelite brothers! I think that is not the best interpretation. 1 Samuel 29:9 But Achish replied to David, "I know that you are pleasing in my sight, like an angel of God; nevertheless the commanders of the Philistines have said, 'He must not go up with us to the battle.' BGT 1 Samuel 29:9 καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Αγχους πρὸς Δαυιδ οἶδα ὅτι ἀγαθὸς σὺ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου ἀλλ᾽ οἱ σατράπαι τῶν ἀλλοφύλων λέγουσιν οὐχ ἥξει μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν εἰς πόλεμον LXE 1 Samuel 29:9 And Anchus answered David, I know that thou art good in my eyes, but the lords of the Philistines say, He shall not come with us to the war. KJV 1 Samuel 29:9 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. NET 1 Samuel 29:9 Achish replied to David, "I am convinced that you are as reliable as the angel of God! However, the leaders of the Philistines have said, 'He must not go up with us in the battle.' CSB 1 Samuel 29:9 Achish answered David, "I'm convinced that you are as reliable as the Angel of God. But the Philistine commanders have said, 'He must not go into battle with us.' ESV 1 Samuel 29:9 And Achish answered David and said, "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.' NIV 1 Samuel 29:9 Achish answered, "I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, 'He must not go up with us into battle.' NLT 1 Samuel 29:9 But Achish insisted, "As far as I'm concerned, you're as perfect as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders are afraid to have you with them in the battle. NRS 1 Samuel 29:9 Achish replied 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.' NJB 1 Samuel 29:9 In reply, Achish said to David, 'In my opinion, it is true, you are as good as an angel of God; but the Philistine chiefs have said, "He must not go into battle with us." NAB 1 Samuel 29:9 "You know," Achish answered David, "that you are acceptable to me. But the Philistine chiefs have determined you are not to go up with us to battle. YLT 1 Samuel 29:9 And Achish answereth and saith unto David, 'I have known that thou art good in mine eyes as a messenger of God; only, the princes of the Philistines have said, He doth not go up with us into battle; GWN 1 Samuel 29:9 Achish answered David, "I admit that in my judgment you're as good as God's Messenger. However, the Philistine officers said, 'He shouldn't go into battle with us.' BBE 1 Samuel 29:9 And Achish in answer said, It is true that in my eyes you are good, like an angel of God: but still, the rulers of the Philistines have said, He is not to go up with us to the fight. as an angel: 2Sa 14:17,20 19:27 Ga 4:14 the commanders: 1Sa 29:4 1 Samuel 29 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Galatians 4:14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. ACHISH HOLDS HIS GROUND But Achish replied to David, "I know that you are pleasing in my sight, like an angel of God - HCSB - "I'm convinced that you are as reliable as the Angel of God." Note the CSB actually capitalizes "Angel" that might suggest he is alluding the an OT Christophany (cf Angel of the LORD). That seems very unlikely. The NIV has ""I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God." This suggests Achish knew a little Biblical truth such as the truth that God had angels (angelic messengers). This would support the presumption that while David conspired with Achish, he never resorted to idol worship. nevertheless the commanders of the Philistines have said, 'He must not go up with us to the battle - Despite David's excellent behavior in the sight of Achish, he felt compelled to acquiesce to the arguments of the majority of the Philistine leaders. Ray Pritchard - The World Doesn’t Trust a Compromising Christian - There is an important lesson for us to consider at this point. A child of God defects—even temporarily—to the other side and then he discovers that the other side doesn’t want him because they don’t trust him. Why? Because a child of God is always a child of God. The new nature within cannot be taken away even though it can be covered up and camouflaged by compromise. That’s why backsliding is a kind of spiritual suicide. The believer who cuts himself off from the people of God soon discovers the people of the world don’t want him around either. So he is fated to spend his years in a kind of no-man’s land, half in the world, half in the church. He is a man without a country. When I preached this sermon, a woman came up to me and thanked me for pressing home this point. “I’ve been too concerned with what the other women in my neighborhood think of me.” She had been trying to become like them in order to win their favor. But it never works. The people of the world are smarter than that. They can recognize the true children of God and they won’t respect us if we try to play on their team. The world respects Christians who stand up for what they believe. They may not like us (they might even persecute us) but they will respect us and they can’t deny the reality of our faith. (Ziklag is Burning) 1 Samuel 29:10 "Now then arise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who have come with you, and as soon as you have arisen early in the morning and have light, depart." 1Sa 30:1,2 Ge 22:14 Ps 37:23,24 1Co 10:13 2Pe 2:9 1 Samuel 29 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ACHISH COMMANDS DAVID TO DEPART NEXT DAY Now then arise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who have come with you, and as soon as you have arisen early in the morning and have light, depart - Achish commands David and his men not to delay but to depart posthaste. 1 Samuel 29:11 So David arose early, he and his men, to depart in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel. And the Philistines: 1Sa 29:1 Jos 19:18 2Sa 4:4 1 Samuel 29 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: 2 Samuel 4:4 Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the report of Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened that in her hurry to flee, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth (MEPHIBOSHETH WOULD HAVE BEEN AT GIBEAH). DAVID OBEYS KING ACHISH PHILISTINES MARCH TO JEZREEL So David arose early, he and his men, to depart in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines - David gladly obeys the command of Achish and leaves at the break of day. The phrase return to the land of the Philistines could be taken to mean that he was presently not in the land of the Philistines. If this takes place at Aphek that is still in Philistia. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel - This phrase supports that the Philistines were still at Aphek and from there would march to Jezreel in the heart of Israel to camp at Shunem just north of Israel camped at Jezreel. Enlarge the map above to see the line marking the march from Aphek to Shunem (and Jezreel). TSK Note - Jezreel, or Esdraelon, was a city of Issachar, afterwards celebrated as the residence of the kings of Israel, delightfully situated in the extensive and fertile plain of the same name, which extends from Scythopolis or Bethshan on the east to mount Carmel on the west.