THE PHILISTINES REJECT DAVID David was actually in a tight corner; He pretended to go out with the enemy among whom he was dwelling, to fight against his own people; but his heart was broken. The lords of the Philistines proclaimed to Achish that they do not trust David. Although that was an insult, it was for David a God sent blessing; He says: “Our souls has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken, and we have escaped” (Psalm 124: 7). 1- David rejected from participating in the battle 1 – 5. 2- Achish apologies to David 6 – 11. 1- DAVID REJECTED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE BATTLE The army of the Philistines moved from Chunem toward the south to Aphek, close to the camp of the Israelites, who had moved to Jezreel, close to the mountain of Gilboa, near a well, probably ‘the well of Herod’ nowadays, where ‘Gideon’ had once encamped (Judges 7: 1). David and his men came, at the rear of the army of the Philistines, with Achish. David’s heart was burning for his critical situation: He could not get away with his men, when the battle began, lest Achish would count him as a traitor, having gave him hospitality in his land, and granted him every possibility to work freely; And if he did participate in the battle together with the Philistines, that would surely be treason to his people and country. And what would happen if Saul got killed? Wouldn’t the people look at David, the ally with the enemy, as the true killer? The temptation was very difficult; Yet, as it was said: “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape” (1 Corinthian 10: 13). 2- ACHISH APOLOGIZES TO DAVID “Make this fellow (David) return, that he may go back to the place which you have appointed for him, and do not let him go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he becomes our adversary. For what could he reconcile himself to his master, if not with the heads of (our) men? Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?” (1 Samuel 29: 4) That was what the princes of the Philistines said to Achish; As Achish loved David dearly, and trusted him greatly, he defended him; but being one of five, he submitted to them, and apologized to David, and asked him to go back to Ziklag. He swore by God to David, that he had been upright; that longed to have him a partner in war; that to that day, he had found no fault in him, since his defection; and that he was as good in his sight as an angel of God (1 Samuel 29: 6 - 9). Indeed, how great is the testimony of strangers, about the purity of man’s heart and his goodness! A good life could never be hidden nor denied! Achish asked David to hasten to get back with his men, before the battle started, saying: “Rise early in the morning with your master’s servants,... and depart”(1 Samuel 29: 10). He called them Saul’s servants as David and his men had never forsaken their affiliation. David found the solution for his difficult situation, and returned to Ziklag but with bitter soul for his people’s sake.
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