Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 29:6
Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, [as] the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host [is] good in my sight: 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.
6 11. David dismissed from the army
6. as the Lord liveth ] Either the exact wording of the speech is due to the historian, or Achish, to convince David of his sincerity, swears by the God of Israel.
thou hast been upright ] Better, thou art upright.
thy going out, &c.] Thy company in this expedition would please me, for I have always found thee a faithful ally.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
As the Lord liveth – The swearing by Yahweh seems strange in the mouth of a Philistine. But probably not the very words, but only the sense of this and such like speeches, is preserved.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. Thou hast been upright] So he thought, for as yet he had not heard of the above transaction; David having given him to understand that he had been fighting against Israel.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
As the Lord liveth; he swears by Jehovah; either because he did acknowledge their Jehovah to be a God, being, it may be, convinced and instructed therein by David, though he did worship Dagon with him, and above him: or because this was Davids God, and therefore he swore by him; partly out of complaisance with David, that he might receive his unwelcome message to him with less offence; and partly that this oath might gain more credit to his words with David.
Thy going out and thy coming in with me, i.e. thy whole conversation with me. See 1Sa 18:13, and many other places where that phrase is used.
Since the day of thy coming unto me; though before that time there was evil in thee towards me and my people.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then Achish called David,…. Being so near him, that he could call unto him himself, or he sent some person to him, to require his presence with him:
and said unto him, surely, [as] the Lord liveth; or “Jehovah liveth”; an oath by the true God, of whom Achish might have some knowledge, as he also had of angels, from his conversation with David; though the Heathens had a notion of a supreme Being, and yet worshipped other gods, and whom they called Jove, from this name of Jehovah. Kimchi observes, that all confess a first cause; and therefore when he swore to David, he swore by him in whom David believed, perhaps out of complaisance to him, or that David might pay the greater regard to his oath:
thou hast been upright; sincere, honest, faithful, and just in all his deportment; yet not so sincere as he thought him to be, witness the road he pretended he had taken against the south of Judah, 1Sa 27:1;
and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host [is] good in sight; his behaviour in the army, attending him as the keeper of his head, or captain of his bodyguard, was exceeding agreeable to him, and he could wish to have him continued:
for I have not found evil in thee, since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day; whatever he had done before to the Philistines, having greatly afflicted and distressed them in his wars with them, of which this seems to be an exception:
nevertheless, the lords favour thee not; or thou art not acceptable to them, yea, very offensive and disagreeable.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
After this declaration on the part of the princes, Achish was obliged to send David back.
1Sa 29:6-7 With a solemn assertion, – swearing by Jehovah to convince David all the more thoroughly of the sincerity of his declaration, – Achish said to him, “ Thou art honourable, and good in my eyes (i.e., quite right in my estimation) are thy going out and coming in (i.e., all thy conduct) with me in the camp, for I have not found anything bad in thee; but in the eyes of the princes thou art not good (i.e., the princes do not think thee honourable, do not trust thee). Turn now, and go in peace, that thou mayest do nothing displeasing to the princes of the Philistines.”
1Sa 29:8-9 Partly for the sake of vindicating himself against this suspicion, and partly to put the sincerity of Achish’s words to the test, David replied, “ What have I done, and what hast thou found in thy servant, since I was with thee till this day, that I am not to come and fight against the enemies of my lord the king? ” These last words are also ambiguous, since the king whom David calls his lord might be understood as meaning either Achish or Saul. Achish, in his goodness of heart, applies them without suspicion to himself; for he assures David still more earnestly (1Sa 29:9), that he is firmly convinced of his uprightness. “ I know that thou art good in my eyes as an angel of God,” i.e., I have the strongest conviction that thou hast behaved as well towards me as an angel could; but the princes have desired thy removal.
1Sa 29:10 “ And now get up early in the morning with the servants of thy lord (i.e., Saul, whose subjects David’s men all were), who have come with thee; get ye up in the morning when it gets light for you (so that ye can see), and go.”
1Sa 29:11 In accordance with this admonition, David returned the next morning into the land of the Philistines, i.e., to Ziklag; no doubt very light of heart, and praising God for having so graciously rescued him out of the disastrous situation into which he had been brought and not altogether without some fault of his own, rejoicing that “he had not committed either sin, i.e., had neither violated the fidelity which he owed to Achish, nor had to fight against the Israelites” (Seb. Schmidt).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| David Leaves the Philistines. | B. C. 1055. |
6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not. 7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines. 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 unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king? 9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle. 10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart. 11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
If the reasons Achish had to trust David were stronger than the reasons which the princes offered why they should distrust him (as I do not see that, in policy, they were, for the princes were certainly in the right), yet Achish was but one of five, though the chief, and the only one that had the title of king; accordingly, in a council of war held on this occasion, he was over-voted, and obliged to dismiss David, though he was extremely fond of him. Kings cannot always do as they would, nor have such as they would about them.
I. The discharge Achish gives him is very honourable, and not a final discharge, but only from the present service. 1. He signifies the great pleasure and satisfaction he had taken in him and in his conversation: Thou art good in my sight as an angel of God, v. 9. Wise and good men will gain respect, wherever they go, from all that know how to make a right estimate of persons and things, though of different professions in religion. What Achish says of David, God, by the prophet, says of the house of David (Zech. xii. 8), that it shall be as the angel of the Lord. But the former is a court-compliment; the latter is a divine promise. 2. He gives him a testimonial of his good behaviour, v. 6. It is very full and in obliging terms: “Thou hast been upright, and thy whole conduct has been good in my sight, and I have not found evil in thee.” Saul would not have given him such a testimonial, though he had done far more service to him than Achish. God’s people should behave themselves always so inoffensively as if possible to get the good word of all they have dealings with; and it is a debt we owe to those who have acquitted themselves well to give them the praise of it. 3. He lays all the blame of his dismission upon the princes, who would by no means suffer him to continue in the camp. “The king loves thee entirely, and would venture his life in thy hand; but the lords favour thee not, and we must not disoblige them, nor can we oppose them; therefore return and go in peace.” He had better part with his favourite than occasion a disgust among his generals and a mutiny in his army. Achish intimates a reason why they were uneasy. It was not so much for David’s own sake as for the sake of his soldiers that attended him, whom he calls his master’s servants (namely, Saul’s), v. 10. They could trust him, but not them. (4.) He orders him to be gone early, as soon as it was light (v. 10), to prevent their further resentments, and the jealousies they would have been apt to conceive if he had lingered.
II. His reception of this discourse is very complimental; but, I fear, not without some degree of dissimulation. “What?” says David, “must I leave my lord the king, whom I am bound by office to protect, just now when he is going to expose himself in the field? Why may not I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” v. 8. He seemed anxious to serve him when he was at this juncture really anxious to leave him, but he was not willing that Achish should know that he was. No one knows how strong the temptation is to compliment and dissemble which those are in that attend great men, and how hard it is to avoid it.
III. God’s providence ordered it wisely and graciously for him. For, besides that the snare was broken and he was delivered out of the dilemma to which he was first reduced, it proved a happy hastening of him to the relief of his own city, which sorely wanted him, though he did not know it. Thus the disgrace which the lords of the Philistines put upon him prove, in more ways than one, an advantage to him. The steps of a good man ore ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way. What he does with us we know not now, but we shall know hereafter, and shall see it was all for good.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
(6) Surely, as the Lord liveth.This seems a strange oath for an idolatrous prince like the King of Gath to make use ofBy the life of Jehovah. It was probably the equivalent of the real oath of Achish, unless, as Keil supposes, the Philistine friend of David, in his oath, used the formula which he thought would be most acceptable to David, whom he looked upon as injured falsely by the suspicion of the Philistine leaders.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
David’s Return to the Land of the Philistines
v. 6. Then Achish called David and said unto him, Surely, as the Lord liveth, 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, v. 9. And Achish, v. 10. Wherefore, now, rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants, v. 11. So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
1Sa 29:6. Surely, as the Lord liveth It is observable, that Achish on this occasion makes use of that form of swearing which obtained among the Jews, as the Lord liveth; from which some have concluded, that Achish had learned a part of David’s religion; and others go into great extremes on the other side; for which, I own, I can see no grounds. David was a man of sufficient address; he well knew how to converse with kings; nor was Achish the first whose favour his accomplishments had acquired him. In all probability, he stipulated for the free exercise of his religion, before he threw himself into his service; and such a stipulation might naturally be attended with an apology in its favour. Nor will David’s character suffer us to suppose him so cold and unconcerned in that point, as to omit any opportunity of recommending his religion to the best advantage; for surely no mortal ever had it more at heart; especially after that declaration, which he himself has made in the 119th Psalm, sect. 6. (vau) I will speak of thy testimonies even before kings, and will not be ashamed. What wonder then if David should have instructed, and Achish profited in this point from David’s conversation? But after all, possibly, Achish might have sworn by Jehovah on this occasion, as that Jew did by Jesus, whom the old duke of Ormond, (so properly, and with so fine a satire upon that profaneness too common among Christians,) reproved for his assurance, in presuming to swear like a Christian.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(6) Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not. (7) Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
The Reader may perhaps be rather surprised, that Achish should have so little weight in his kingdom as not to be able to retain David in his service. But he should be told, that the Philistines were governed by five lords, and Gath was but one of their kingdoms. Ekron, Gaza, Ashdod, and Askelon, were the other four parts which these lords of the Philistines governed.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 29:6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, [as] the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host [is] good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
Ver. 6. Surely, as the Lord liveth. ] He swareth by Jehovah, of whom haply he had got some notions, either from the ancient patriarchs, or at least from David, whom haply he thought to please herewith; Diodate saith, he flattered with him; sure it is that David flattered grossly with Achish, 1Sa 29:8 which if Achish had known, he would never have said –
Thou hast been upright.
Nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
a Mr Burroughs on Hosea i. p. 307.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
evil. Hebrew ra’a. App-44.
the lords favour thee not = ” thou art not good in the eyes of the princes”. See 1Sa 29:1.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the Lord: 1Sa 20:3, 1Sa 28:10, Deu 10:20, Isa 65:16, Jer 12:16
thou hast: Mat 5:16, 1Pe 2:12, 1Pe 3:16
thy going: Num 27:17, 2Sa 3:25, 2Ki 19:27, Psa 121:8
I have not: 1Sa 29:3
the lords favour: etc. Heb. thou art not good in the eyes of the lords, Gen 16:6, Jos 22:30, *marg.
Reciprocal: Gen 12:20 – General Jdg 16:5 – the lords 1Sa 29:2 – the lords 1Sa 30:15 – Swear 1Ki 18:10 – the Lord 1Ki 21:2 – seem good to thee
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 29:6. Achish said, Surely, as the Lord liveth He swears by Jehovah, whom David worshipped, that he might be the more believed by him. Or perhaps he had learned something from David of the true God, though he worshipped other gods with him.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
29:6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, [as] the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy {d} going out and thy coming in with me in the host [is] good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
(d) That is, was conversant with me.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
David’s exemption from the battle 29:6-11
Achish swore in Yahweh’s name to David, probably to impress the truth of what he was saying on David, that David had been upright and pleasing to him. Nevertheless David had not won the confidence of the other Philistine commanders, and so he had to return to Philistia. David again (cf. 1Sa 17:29; 1Sa 20:1; 1Sa 26:18) asked, "What have I done?" He had done nothing to deserve this rejection. He then professed to want to go into the battle and to fight the enemies of "my lord the king." David probably wanted Achish to think that he was referring to Achish as "my lord," but he really meant Saul, I think. It seems incredible that David would really have entered the battle and fought for the Philistines against the Israelites. Thus David continued his deception. For the third time Achish vindicated David (1Sa 29:3; 1Sa 29:6; 1Sa 29:9). Note the parallel with Pilate’s threefold vindication of Jesus (Joh 18:38; Joh 19:4; Joh 19:6; cf. Luk 23:22). [Note: Brueggemann, p. 200.] David had been as a divine messenger to the Philistine king, a source of much blessing to him (cf. Gen 12:2-3). David may have shared the booty that he had taken in his battles against his southern enemies with Achish (cf. 1Sa 27:7-10). [Note: Miscall, p. 174.] Nevertheless the other Philistine rulers would not allow David to enter the battle. Consequently David had to return south with his men, the former servants of David’s previous commander, Saul. David did as Achish ordered in the morning, and the Philistines proceeded north to engage Saul near Mt. Gilboa.
This chapter is an encouraging revelation of how God takes care of His own when they are under extreme stress and not entirely obedient. David had come close to running out of ideas about how he could preserve his life (cf. 1Sa 27:1). He had apparently received no special guidance from God 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 while David was in Philistine territory. David had even resorted to deception to protect himself (cf. 1Sa 27:10-12; 1Sa 29:8). Nonetheless God continued to guard His anointed servant, even in a foreign land. He convinced Achish of David’s loyalty, which yielded a measure of protection for David. He also convinced the other Philistine commanders of David’s threat to themselves, which resulted in their sending him far from the field of battle.
"The very same Philistines who will finally dispose of Saul (ch. 31) are the ones who unwittingly rescue David." [Note: Brueggemann, First and . . ., p. 199.]
In short, God providentially caused the reactions of people, as different as those reactions were, to protect David (cf. Rom 8:28). Even when we do not sense it, God cares for us, as a shepherd (cf. Psalms 23).
"David’s sixteen months at Ziklag probably marked a low point in his spiritual walk with God. He displayed a lack of faith in going there, as though God could not protect him in his own land; he was not honest with Achish after he arrived there; and it was only because of God’s intervening grace that he was spared from having to fight his own people. Significantly, too, it was during this time that his men nearly mutinied against him, not being sure that he was leading them aright. He had been doing so well until this time, but here he definitely slipped." [Note: Wood, Israel’s United . . ., p. 211.]
David’s wise leadership of the Israelites ch. 30
This chapter reveals many qualities that marked David as an outstanding leader. As Saul continued to decline, God perfected the characteristics of leadership in David that prepared him for the throne. The Amalekites’ capture of Ziklag at first looked as if tragedy had struck, but later it proved to be a great blessing. In this respect this event resembled David’s whole career (and that of Jesus Christ). As a result of this victory, the people of Judah came to regard David as the obvious successor to Saul’s throne.
The chiastic structure of the chapter focuses attention on the defeat of the Amalekites, the people that God had commissioned Israel’s leaders, including Saul, to annihilate.
"A. David reaches destroyed Ziklag and finds it plundered (1Sa 30:1-3).
B. David and his men are promised the Lord’s help (1Sa 30:4-8).
C. David defeats the Amalekites (1Sa 30:9-20)
B’. David shares the Lord’s plunder with his men (1Sa 30:21-25).
A’. David returns to Ziklag and distributes the remaining plunder (1Sa 30:26-31)." [Note: Youngblood, "1, 2 Samuel," p. 791.]