1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 105Ziklag evidently stood on the southwestern edge of Philistia about 27 miles southsouthwestof Gerar, but its exact site is not certain. 294 It continued under Israelite controlfrom the time David moved there until David incorporated it into his kingdom. This townbecame David's headquarters until he moved to Hebron 16 months later (v. 7; cf. 2 Sam.1:1). In Ziklag David could come and go without constant observation by the Philistineswho lived mainly to the north of Ziklag.David's raids to the south 27:8-12David used his opportunity to defeat and to annihilate the common enemies of Israel andthe Philistines that lived to Israel's southwest. David did not leave any survivors, as theLord had commanded (Deut. 3:18-20; Josh. 1:13). He was clearing the Promised Land offoreign foes so the Israelites could occupy it. David walked a thin line of deception butwas able to convince Achish that his victories were for the welfare of the Philistines andthe detriment of Israel. Really he was conquering Israel's surrounding enemies, but hegave Achish the impression that his raids were against the southern portions in Judah.David continued to subdue Israel's enemy neighbors later when he became king (2 Sam.8). Achish believed that David had alienated himself from the Israelites and wouldtherefore be loyal to him from then on (v. 12; cf. 17:9)."Like Nabal [in 25:10], Achish seriously underestimates David byregarding him as a servant or slave." 295The Philistines' preparations for war against Israel 28:1-2David's response to Achish was deliberately ambiguous. He did not promise to fight forthe Philistines but gave the impression he would (v. 2). Achish interpreted David's wordsas a strong commitment to him and rewarded David with a position as his bodyguard forlife.David continued to be a blessing to Israel as he obeyed God in Ziklag without giving anyreal help to Israel's enemy, the Philistines. This plan of David's, while yielding somepositive benefits, involved him in deception and lying plus leaving him vulnerable toAchish if the Philistine king had learned what was really happening.This whole pericope illustrates that when opposition from ungodly people persists God'speople should continue to pray and trust Him for protection rather than taking mattersinto our own hands. If we initiate a plan without seeking God's guidance, we may removeone source of aggravation and danger only to find ourselves in another. Such plans mayresult in some good, but they may also put us in situations where we find it even moretempting to disobey God (cf. Jacob). We should, instead, remember God's promises (e.g.,1 Pet. 1:3-9; 2 Pet. 1:2-4) and pray for His guidance (cf. Phil. 4:6-7).294 J. D. Ray, "Two Etymologies: Ziklag and Phicol," Vetus Testamentum (July 1986):355-58.295 Miscall, p. 165. Cf. Gunn, The Fate . . ., p. 107.