1 Samuel 29

1 Samuel 29:1

jyi OW the Philistines gathered all their army to Aphek. There were three places of this name; one in the tribe of Judah, another in Manasseh, and a third in Asher. Which last seems to be here meant, where the sons.of Eli were slain. (See iv. 1.) And the Israelites pitched by a mountain which is in Jezreel.] A valley which was overlooked by the mountain Gilboa: from whence the Israelites came down (xxviii. 4.) to draw up their army here.

1 Samuel 29:2

And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds and by thousands. When they took a view of their army, the great men appeared, some at the head of a hundred, some of a thousand soldiers. But David and his men passed on in the rear-ward with Achish.] Who seems to have been the general of the army: and to have made David and his men his lite-guard, according to his resolution, xxviii. 2.

1 Samuel 29:3

Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here?. Who they were afraid would prove false to them, and take part with their own countrymen. •’ And Achish said unfo the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who hath been with me these days, or these years.] The meaning is, I may say years, not days: for he had been with him part of two years: and, if he had not formerly known him, his predecessor had, (xxi. 10.) and it is likely he had held correspondence with him before he came to him. And I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?] This intimates, that he looked on him as revolted from Saul; and, by the experience he had of’his fidelity, he thought ho might be still trusted.

1 Samuel 29:4

And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him. In an: angry tone. Microsoft ® 2 R A COMMENTARY UPON’ £cHAP. XXX. • Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him.] At Ziklag, which they were contented ho should possess. And let him not go down with us to the battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us.] And thereby do them more mischief than the army of the Israelites. For wherewith should he reconcile himself to his master? should it not beivith the heads of these men?’] That is, of the Philistines. They reasoned wisely, according to the common practice of mankind; and well it was for David, that they were such politicians: for hereby God delivered him out of a very great strait; either of being an enemy to his country, or false to his friends, and to his trust. And •by the same good providence he was sent back to rescue iris wives, and the wives and children of his men, who were.taken captive.

1 Samuel 29:5

Is not this David, of whom they sang one to an-‘other in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his tliousands, and David his ten thousands?. They remembered that he was their old enemy, who killed Goliath: and was highly magnified for it above Saul himself. * Ver. G. Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the Lord liveth.] Ho swears by the God whom David worshipped, that he might be the more believed: or, perhaps, he had learned something from David of the true God, though he worshipped others with him. Thou hast been upright, and thy going out and coming in with me in the host is good in my sight.] He commends him as an unblameable person in his private conversation; and as an excellent commander in his army. For I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day.] Avery honourable testimony from a foreign prince.. Nevertheless the lords favour thee not.] Unto whom Achish was forced to yield: for he was not an absolute king; but the lords of the country still retained a great authority. -

1 Samuel 29:7

Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines. From the effects of whose envy and jealousy he could not preserve him.

1 Samuel 29:8

And David said unto Achish,. But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant, so long as I fyave been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?] He had told him before that he found not the, least fault in him: therefore this question may seem impertinent. But David was to act lus part handsomely upon this occasion; so that, though he was, inwardly pleased, he would not have them suspect he was glad to be dismissed: and therefore, since the king was Satisfied with his fidelity, asks w T hy he might not be trusted to. fight against his enemies, and that his lords would give him a reason? But Abarbincl thinks he never intended (Iris; but being chosen by Achish to be the keeper of his head, (xxviii. 2.) he resolved only to discharge this office; but not to join in the battle against Israel.: ■

1 Samuel 29:9

And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art goodin my sight, asan angel of God. He had learned something, as I observed before, (ver. G.) of the Hebrew religion: and it appears by this, of their language also. And the meaning is, he looked upon. David as a man §cnt down from heaven to him: all things prosperingthat he took in hand. Notwithstanding, the princes of the Philistines have said, He shallnot go with its to battle.] They seem to have made such an order in council: which the king durst not contradict.

1 Samuel 29:10

Wherefore now rise up early in> the morning:. Lest any mischief should come to him, if he delayed his departure. With thy masters servants that are come with thee.] This intimates, that the lords of the Philistines would not trust them, because they looked on them still as Saul’s subjects* And as soon as^ye be tip early in the morning, and have light, depart.] He advises them to lose no time,,but, as soon as they could see their way, leave the army, and march to Ziklag. •

1 Samuel 29:11

So David and his men rose up early in the morn’ ing, to return into the land of the Philistines. For now they w r ere in the Philistines’ camp, in the land of Israel-, at Aphek, (ver. 1.) And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.] To the battle, to the Israelites, who were pitched there, (ver. 1.)