1 Samuele 29:4 Commento

How Saul, who was forsaken of God, when he was in a strait was more and more perplexed and embarrassed with his own counsels, we read in the foregoing chapter. In this chapter we find how David, who kept close to God, when he was in a strait was extricated and brought off by the providence of God, without any contrivance of his own. We have him, I. Marching with the Philistines (Sa1 29:1, Sa1 29:2). II. Excepted against by the lords of the Philistines (Sa1 29:3-5). III. Happily dismissed by Achish from that service which did so ill become him, and which yet he knew not how to decline (Sa1 29:6-11).

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 29 This chapter gives an account of David's going forth with the armies of the Philistines, Sa1 29:1; of his being objected to by the princes of the Philistines, who insisted upon his being sent back, Sa1 29:3; of the report Achish made of it to David, and the discourse that passed between them upon it, Sa1 29:6; whereby David had a way unexpectedly opened for him to be freed from this service, which he gladly embraced, Sa1 29:11.

And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him,.... With Achish, for giving such a character of David, and taking his part, in order to detain him, if possible: and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, make this fellow return; they speak of him with contempt, and insist on it that Achish order him to turn back, and go no further with them: that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him; to Ziklag, the place that Achish had given him for his residence, Sa1 27:6; they did not desire to have him sent to his own country, and to Saul, since should a reconciliation be made between them, he would be of great service to Saul against them: and let him not go down with us to battle; into the valley of Jezreel, where the Israelites had pitched: lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: and fall upon them behind, being in the rear, while they were engaging in the front with Israel: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? to Saul he had offended, and fled from: should it not be with the heads of these men? the Philistines; or unless by the heads of these men (m); he had no other way of making his peace with his master but by cutting off the heads of the Philistines; and therefore he was a dangerous man to take with them into the battle. (m) "nisi per capita", Noldius, p. 257. No. 1147.

The Philistines gather their armies together against Israel, and encamp at Aphek; while the Israelites encamp at Jezreel, Sa1 29:1. The lords of the Philistines refuse to let David go to battle with them, lest he should betray them, Sa1 29:2-5. Achish expresses his confidence in David; but begs him to return, Sa1 29:6-10. David and his men return, Sa1 29:11.

The princes of the Philistines were wroth - It is strange that they had not yet heard of David's destruction of a village of the Geshurites, Gezrites, and Amalekites, Sa1 27:8, Sa1 27:9. Had they heard of this, they would have seen much more cause for suspicion.

DAVID MARCHING WITH THE PHILISTINES TO FIGHT WITH ISRAEL. (Sa1 29:1-5) Aphek-- (Jos 12:8), in the tribe of Issachar, and in the plain of Esdraelon. A person who compares the Bible account of Saul's last battle with the Philistines, with the region around Gilboa, has the same sort of evidence that the account relates what is true, that a person would have that such a battle as Waterloo really took place. Gilboa, Jezreel, Shunem, En-dor, are all found, still bearing the same names. They lie within sight of each other. Aphek is the only one of the cluster not yet identified. Jezreel on the northern slope of Gilboa, and at the distance of twenty minutes to the east, is a large fountain, and a smaller one still nearer; just the position which a chieftain would select, both on account of its elevation and the supply of water needed for his troops [HACKETT, Scripture Illustrated].

the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him--It must be considered a happy circumstance in the overruling providence of God to rescue David out of the dangerous dilemma in which he was now placed. But David is not free from censure in his professions to Achish (Sa1 29:8), to do what he probably had not the smallest purpose of doing--of fighting with Achish against his enemies. It is just an instance of the unhappy consequences into which a false step--a departure from the straight course of duty--will betray everyone who commits it.