1 Samuel 29:5-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:1-5

Here is, I. The great strait that David was in, which we may suppose he himself was aware of, though we read not of his asking advice from God, nor of any project of his own to get clear of it. The two armies of the Philistines and the Israelites were encamped and ready to engage, 1 Sam. 29:1. Achish, who had been kind to David, had obliged him to come himself and bring the forces he had into his service. David came accordingly, and, upon a review of the army, was found with Achish, in the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:6-11

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:5

Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances ,.... Long ago: saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands ; so that he is an old sworn enemy of ours; and the more valiant and victorious he has been, the less is he to be trusted, see 1 Samuel 18:7 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:6

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.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:7

Wherefore now return ,.... To Ziklag: and go in peace ; not only in a peaceable manner, easy and satisfied, as David was at his very heart to hear this, but all prosperity and happiness attend thee; the Jews F14 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 64. 1. Sepher Alphes, par. 1. fol. 421. 2. distinguish between wishing persons to go in peace, and to go to peace; the former they observe has not issued happily, when the other has, and they instance in the wish of Jethro to Moses, and of David to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:8

And David said unto Achish, what have I done ?.... This question is anticipated by the speech of Achish, who had declared he had found no evil in him; but David must say something to put on an appearance of concern for being dismissed, when he was heartily glad of it: 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 ? which cannot be excused of great dissimulation, since nothing was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:9

And Achish answered and said unto David ,.... In reply to the questions: I know that thou art good in my sight as an angel of God : for his great wisdom, and graceful behaviour, and inoffensive carriage: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, he shall not go up with us to the battle ; though Achish had so good an opinion of him, and had declared it in council, yet an order had passed there that he should not go to battle with them; there were but five of them,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:10

Wherefore now rise up early with thy master's servants that are come with thee ,.... Meaning his six hundred men, who were considered as the servants and subjects of Saul, though with David: and which tacitly carried in it the objection of the Philistine lords unto them, that since they were the servants and subjects of Saul, they were not to be trusted in a battle with him; lest finding an opportunity, they should seize it, and thereby ingratiate themselves into his favour again: and as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 29:11

So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning ,.... Being as willing and ready to go as the Philistines were desirous they should: to return into the land of the Philistines ; for now they were in the land of Israel, at Aphek, near Jezreel, from whence they went back to Ziklag, which was within the principality of Gath; and, according to Bunting F15 Travels, &c.; p. 137. , was eighty eight miles from the place where the army of the Philistines was; but it seems... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 29:6

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. read more

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