1 Samuel 28:1

_AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS, THAT THE PHILISTINES GATHERED THEIR ARMIES TOGETHER FOR WARFARE, TO FIGHT WITH ISRAEL. AND ACHISH SAID UNTO DAVID, KNOW THOU ASSUREDLY, THAT THOU SHALT GO OUT WITH ME TO BATTLE, THOU AND THY MEN._ The Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. The death of Samuel, the general dissatisfaction with Saul, and the absence of David, instigated the cupidity of these restless enemies of Israel, and they prepared to invade the kingdom. KNOW THOU ASSUREDLY, THAT THOU SHALT GO OUT WITH ME TO BATTLE. This was evidently to try him. Achish, however, seems to have thought he had gained the confidence of David, and had a claim on his services....

1-6 David could not refuse Achish without danger. If he promised assistance, and then stood neuter, or went over to the Israelites, he would behave with ingratitude and treachery. If he fought against Israel, he would sin greatly. It seemed impossible that he should get out of this difficulty with a clear conscience; but his evasive answer, intended to gain time, was not consistent with the character of an Israelite indeed. Troubles are terrors to the children of disobedience. In his distress, Saul inquired of the Lord. He did not seek in faith, but with a double, unstable mind. Saul had put the law in force against those that had familiar spirits, Exodus 22:18. Many seem zealous against, sin, when they are any way hurt by it, who have no concern for the glory of God, nor any dislike of sin as sin. Many seem enemies to sin in others, while they indulge it in themselves. Saul will drive...

CHAPTER XXVIII _The Philistines prepare to attack the Israelites, and Achish_ _informs David that he shall accompany him to battle_, 1, 2. _Saul, unable to obtain any answer from God, applies to a witch_ _at En-dor to bring up Samuel that he may converse with him on_ _the issue of the war_, 3-11. _Samuel appears_, 12-14. _He reproaches Saul with his misconduct, and informs him of his_ _approaching ruin_, 15-19. _He is greatly distressed; but at the solicitations of the woman_ and his own servants, he takes some food, and depart

DOWNFALL AND DEATH OF SAUL (CHS. 28-31.) THE PHILISTINES GATHER TOGETHER FOR WAR. DISTRESS OF SAUL, AND VISIT TO THE WITCH OF ENDOR (1 Samuel 28:1.). EXPOSITION ACHISH SUMMONS DAVID TO JOIN HIM IN THE WAR AGAINST ISRAEL (1 Samuel

AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS,.... That David was in the country of the Philistines: THAT THE PHILISTINES GATHERED THEIR ARMIES TOGETHER: out of their five principalities or lordships: FOR WARFARE TO FIGHT WITH ISRAEL; with whom they were continually at war, and though sometimes there was a cessation of arms, yet never any settled peace; and the Philistines took every opportunity and advantage against them, as they now did; when David was among them, and so had nothing to fear from him, but rather expected his assistance; and Samuel was dead, and Saul in a frenzy: AND ACHISH SAID UNTO DAVID: who seems to have been at the head of the combined armies of the Philistines: KNOW THOU ASSUREDLY THAT THOU SHALL GO WITH ME TO BATTLE, THOU AND THY MEN; against Israel; which was a trying thing to David, and whereby he was like to be drawn into a dilemma; either to fight against his country,...

7. SAUL AND THE WITCH AT ENDOR CHAPTER 28 _ 1. David fully joined to Achish (1 Samuel 28:1)_ 2. Forsaken Saul (1 Samuel 28:3) 3. The command to seek a witch (1 Samuel 28:7) 4. Saul's visit to Endor (1 Samuel 28:8) 5. Samuel's solemn message (1 Samuel 28:15) 6. Saul's despair and departure (1 Samuel 28:21) Saul's final plunge towards his awful end is the main topic of this chapter. Israel had ad

1 Samuel 27:1 to 1 Samuel 28:2. DAVID AT GATH (J). Sequel to 1 Samuel 26:25 (_cf._ 1 Samuel 21:10). 1 SAMUEL 27:1. As a last resource David takes refuge at Gath. 1 SAMUEL 27:6. ZIKLAG: Joshua 15:31. 1 SAMUEL 27:7. This paragraph does not simp

MEN. Hebrew. _'. enosh._ App-14....

1 Samuel 28:1-2. David forced to join the Philistine army 1. _in those days_ While David was at Ziklag, as related in the previous chapter....

IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS— The Philistines, recruited about this time, as Sir Isaac Newton judges, by vast numbers of men driven out of Egypt by Amasis, resolve upon a new war with Israel; nor were Samuel's death, and David's disgrace, as we may well judge, inconsiderable motives to it. Achish, who appears to have been commander in chief of the combined army of the Philistines, knew David's merit, and had a thorough confidence in his fidelity; and therefore he resolved to take him with him to the war. Accordingly, he moved the matter to David, and David made him a doubtful answer. _Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do:_ upon which Achish replies, _therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever:_ that is, in the present military style, he promised to make him captain of his life-guard, and we find by the sequel that he did so; whence, it seems, that Achish understoo...