Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary1 Samuel 29

David with the PhilistinesThis section describes a time when David was in a difficult situation. The Philistine and Israelite armies were ready to fight. David, who had been living among the Philistines for safety from Saul, was now expected to fight with them. However, David’s loyalty to Israel and his past victories against the Philistines created a great problem for him. God used the suspicions of the Philistine leaders to rescue David from this difficult position, so that he would not have to fight against his own people.v. 1:Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.The Philistine army came together at Aphek, while the Israelites set up camp near a spring in Jezreel. Both armies were preparing for a major battle.

v. 2:And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.As the Philistine commanders marched with their troops, David and his men were placed at the rear with Achish, the Philistine king who trusted him. David was given this position because Achish believed David was loyal, but this also put David in a risky situation.

v. 3:Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?The other Philistine leaders were suspicious and asked why David, a Hebrew, was in their army. Achish tried to defend David, saying he had been loyal for a long time and had never caused any trouble.

v. 4:And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?The Philistine leaders became angry and insisted that David should not go to battle with them. They were afraid that in the middle of the fight, David might switch sides to please Saul, his old master, and attack the Philistines from behind.

v. 5:Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?The leaders remembered the songs the Israelites sang about David’s many victories over the Philistines, saying,Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands. This made them even more certain that David could not be trusted in their army.

David Leaves the PhilistinesThis part tells how David was released from his dangerous position among the Philistine army. Achish, the Philistine king, wanted to keep David, but the other Philistine leaders did not trust him. Even though Achish liked David, he could not overrule the other leaders. This shows that even kings sometimes cannot do whatever they want. God used this situation to help David escape from a difficult problem, showing that God can use even the plans of those who do not believe in Him to help His people.v. 6: Achish calls David and tells him, "As the Lord

v. 7: Achish tells David to return home peacefully, saying that the other Philistine rulers do not approve of him fighting with them. Even though Achish cares about David, he cannot go against the wishes of the other leaders. Achish blames David's dismissal on the leaders, not on David's own actions.

v. 8: David responds to Achish with respectful words. He asks, "But what have I done? And what have you found in your servant as long as I have been with you, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?" . David acts like he wants to fight for the Philistines, but in truth, he is glad for a way out. Sometimes, people are tempted to say things that are not completely true to please those in power, and it can be very hard to avoid this.

v. 9: Achish repeats his praise for David, saying, "You are as good in my sight as an angel of God" . But again, he tells David that the Philistine leaders do not trust him, so David must leave. Achish tells David to leave early in the morning to avoid more trouble.

v. 10: Achish orders David and his men to get up early and leave as soon as it is light . He wants them to go quietly so there is no argument or suspicion from the other Philistine leaders.

v. 11: David and his men obey and leave the Philistine camp in the morning. They return to the land of the Philistines, while the Philistine army marches on to Jezreel to fight Israel. God worked out all things for David’s good, even using people who didn’t know Him. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord