1 Samuel 29

The Princes of the Philistines will not suffer David to be in the camp, though Achis plead for him, ver. 3, & c. The Princes shew cause why they will not suffer David to be with them, 4. Achis causeth David to return, though sore against his will, 6. David would rather have stayed with Achis, 8. But he commandeth him the second time to depart, 10. Which David doeth, 11.

1. Now the Philistines had gathered together all their camps to Aphek. [There were divers cities in the lad of Canaan called Aphek, First, one in the tribe of Juda, Joshua 15:52. Secondly, another in the tribe o Issaschar, by mount Gibea, by the great field o Megiddo, of which this here may be understood] and the Israelites camped themselves by the fountain, which is by Jizreel. [This was a air city on the borders of the tribe of Issachar and Manasseh, Joshua 19:18. Lying at the Fort of Gibea.]

2. And the armies of the Philistines went thither by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men marched with Achis in the reward.

3. Then said the Commanders of the Philistines, What shall these Hebrews? [Or, To what purpose are these Hebrews here?] then said Achis to the chief of the Philistines, Is this not David, the servant of Saul the King of Israel, who hath been with me these days, or these years? [It was now about the second year, that David had dwelt in Ziklag, see chapter 27. 7. And before that time he had been also a while at Gath with Achis] and I have found nothing, [viz. No evil, or, no disloyalty] from that time that he fell off, [viz. From his Lord Saul, who is mine enemy. Otherwise, fell unto me] unto this day.

4. But the chief of the Philistines were wroth with him, and the chief of the Philistines said unto him: Make the man return, [Oth.Turn about] that he may return to his place, where thou hast appointed him, and that he may not go down with us into the battle, left he be an adversary, [see the annotate on Job 1:6.] to us in the battle: [viz. As many Hebrews heretofore have done; who fell off from us to Jonathan, above ch. 14. V, 21.] for wherewith should this (fellow) make himself acceptable unto his lord? [i.e. reconcile himself unto the Lord] is it not with the heads of these men? [viz. By delivering us up into the hands of Saul, revolting in the fight , and turning his sword upon our men]

5. Is not this that David, of whom they answered (one another) in the dance, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands?

6. Then Achis called David, and said unto him, (It is as true as) the LORD liveth, [Although Achis was an Idolater, yet he sweareth by Jehovah the true God: The Philistines indeed had experience of the power of the true God, when the Ark of the Covenant was among them, above chap.5. Its also possible, that Achis by conversing long with David, attained to some knowledge of the true God] that thou art upright , [i.e. I take thee to be a up coming in with me in the camp is good in mine eyes, [i.e. thy carriage and conversation, thy ordering and managing of affairs pleaseth me very well. See Numb. 27. 17.] or I have found no evil in thee from that day that thou camest unto me unto this day; but thou art not acceptable [Heb. Good] in the eyes o the Princes.

7. Therefore now turn about, and go in peace; that thou do no evil in the eyes of the Princes of the Philistines.

8. Then said David unto Achis, But what have I done? Or what hast thou found in thy servant, from that day that I have been before thy face unto this day, that I may not go and fight against enemies of my Lord the King? [David seemed to be very angry and foward to go and fight against the people of God, but what his intent and purpose was, was best know to the LORD]

9. Now Achis answered, and said unto David, I know it, indeed thou art acceptable [Heb. Good] in mine eyes, as an Angel of God , [Achis, though an Heathen acknowledgeth that there be good Angels] : but the Rulers of the Philistines have said, Let him not go with us into this battle.

10. Now then, get up early in the morning, [viz. Before the battle beginneth] with thy Lords servants , that are come with thee: and when ye shall have got up early in the morning, and the light appeareth to you, then depart.

11. Then David got up early, he, and his men, to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines: on the contrary the Philistines marched up to Jizreel.