1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 111was being. They saw that David would probably turn against them in the upcoming battleto regain acceptance with his lord, Saul. They proceeded to use the same phrase Achishhad used to defend David, "Is this not David?" to impress on their gullible comrade whata danger David posed to them. David had not only slain many of Israel's enemies,including many Philistines, but he also enjoyed solidarity with Saul in the minds of all thepeople, which the song they quoted implied.David's exemption from the battle 29:6-11Achish swore in Yahweh's name to David, probably to impress the truth of what he wassaying on David, that David had been upright and pleasing to him. Nevertheless Davidhad not won the confidence of the other Philistine commanders, and so he had to return toPhilistia. David again (cf. 17:29; 20:1; 26:18) asked, "What have I done?" He had donenothing to deserve this rejection. He then professed to want to go into the battle and tofight the enemies of "my lord the king." David probably wanted Achish to think that hewas referring to Achish as "my lord," but he really meant Saul, I think. It seemsincredible that David would really have entered the battle and fought for the Philistinesagainst the Israelites. Thus David continued his deception. For the third time Achishvindicated David (vv. 3, 6, 9). 307 David had been as a divine messenger to the Philistineking, a source of much blessing to him (cf. Gen. 12:2-3). 308 Nevertheless the otherPhilistine rulers would not allow him to enter the battle. Consequently David had toreturn south with his men, the former servants of David's previous lord, Saul. David didas Achish ordered in the morning, and the Philistines proceeded north to engage Saulnear Mt. Gilboa.This chapter is an encouraging revelation of how God takes care of His own when theyare under extreme stress. David had come close to running out of ideas about how hecould preserve his life (cf. 27:1). He had apparently received no special guidance fromGod in answer to prayer. The name of God does not appear in chapter 27 or in chapter 29,except in Achish's references to Him, suggesting that God's guidance was scarce whileDavid was in Philistine territory. David had even resorted to deception to protect himself(cf. 27:10-12; 29:8). Nonetheless God continued to guard His anointed servant, even in aforeign land. He convinced Achish of David's loyalty, which yielded a measure ofprotection for David. He also convinced the other Philistine lords of David's threat tothemselves, which resulted in their sending him far from the scene of battle."The very same Philistines who will finally dispose of Saul (ch. 31) arethe ones who unwittingly rescue David." 309In short, God providentially caused the reactions of people, as different as those reactionswere, to protect David (cf. Rom. 8:28). Even when we do not sense it, God cares for us,307 Brueggemann, p. 200, saw a parallel with Pilate's threefold vindication of Jesus (John 18:38; 19:4, 6; cf.Luke 23:22).308 Miscall, p. 174, speculated that David may have shared the booty that he had taken in his battles againsthis southern enemies with Achish (cf. 27:7-10).309 Brueggemann, First and . . ., p. 199.