1 Samuel 29:6 - Meaning and Application

If Achish had stronger reasons to trust David than the Philistine princes had to distrust him, I still do not see that he was wise in policy, for the princes were clearly right. But Achish was only one of five rulers, though he was the chief one and the only one with the title of king. So, in the war council held at this time, he was outvoted and had to send David away, even though he was deeply fond of him. Kings cannot always do as they want, or keep around the people they would choose.

First, the dismissal Achish gave David was very honorable, and it was not a final dismissal, only from this present campaign. He made clear how much pleasure he had found in David and in his company: “You are as good in my sight as an angel of God” (1 Samuel 29:9). Wise and good people gain respect wherever they go, from all who know how to judge people and things rightly, even when they belong to different faith groups.

What Achish says about David, God says by the prophet about the house of David, that it will be “like the angel of the Lord” (Zechariah 12:8). But Achish’s words are only a court compliment, while God’s words are a divine promise. Achish also gave David a full and gracious testimonial of his conduct (1 Samuel 29:6). He said, in effect, “You have been honest, and your whole conduct has been good in my sight, and I have found no fault in you.” Saul would never have given David such a recommendation, even though David had done far more for Saul than for Achish.

God’s people should live in such a blameless way that, if possible, they win the good word of everyone they deal with. And it is a duty we owe to those who have done well to speak well of them. Achish laid all the blame for sending David away on the princes, who would not allow him to stay in the camp. “The king loves you completely, and would risk his life in your hand,” he said, “but the lords do not favor you, and we must not offend them, nor can we stand against them. So go back, and go in peace.” He chose to lose his favorite rather than stir up anger among his generals and cause unrest in his army.

Achish also hinted at why the princes were uneasy. It was not so much David himself as the soldiers who came with him, whom he calls his master’s servants, meaning Saul’s servants (1 Samuel 29:10). They could trust David, but not those with him. He also ordered David to leave early, as soon as it was light (1 Samuel 29:10), to keep the princes from becoming even more resentful and to avoid the suspicions they might have grown if he had stayed any longer.

David’s reply was very polite, though I fear it was not without some disguise. He said, in effect, “Must I leave my lord the king, whom I am duty-bound to protect, just when he is going into battle? Why should I not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” (1 Samuel 29:8). He seemed eager to serve Achish when he was really eager to leave, but he did not want Achish to know that. No one knows how strong the pressure is to flatter and hide the truth when serving great men, or how hard it is to avoid that sin.

God’s providence ordered all this wisely and kindly for David. The trap was broken, and he was delivered from the hard choice he first faced. More than that, it turned out to be a happy hurry toward the rescue of his own city, which badly needed him, though he did not know it. So the shame the Philistine lords brought on him became an advantage in more ways than one. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he takes pleasure in his way. What God is doing with us, we do not understand now, but we will understand later, and we will see that it was all for good.