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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:6 - 29:11
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David's Return to the Land of the Philistines
v. 6. Then Achish called David and said unto him, Surely, as the Lord liveth, for he swore by the Lord of Israel, in order to emphasize the sincerity of his statement, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight, his entire behavior at all times had met with the approval of the Philistine king; for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day; nevertheless, the lords favor thee not, they refused to drop their suspicions against him.
v. 7. Wherefore, now, return and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
v. 8. And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? And what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee, literally, "before thee," in thy presence, unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king? This was again ambiguous, and purposely so, for David would most assuredly not have fought against his own countrymen.
v. 9. And Achish, accepting David's words as referring to himself, answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God, that was his impression and conviction, that David's behavior would have done credit to an angel; notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
v. 10. Wherefore, now, rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants, the subjects of Saul, that are come with thee, and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
v. 11. So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, as soon as it was light enough to see, to return into the land of the Philistines, to Ziklag. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel, advancing to attack the army of Israel. God's faithfulness in turning aside the evil results of David's foolish move is a source of comfort also to us. He does not let us be tempted above that we are able; He spares us tests and temptations which would be too severe for us, which would endanger our faith. Moreover, the very children of the world who hate us are often instrumental, by God's providence, in having God's good and gracious will fulfilled in us.