1 Samuel 29:10

6-11 David scarcely ever had a greater deliverance than when dismissed from such insnaring service. God's people should always behave themselves so, as, if possible, to get the good word of all they have dealings with: and it is due to those who have acted well, to speak well of them....

Verse 1 Samuel 29:10. _WITH THY MASTER'S SERVANTS_] Who were these? has been very properly asked; and to this question there can be but two answers:- 1. The _six hundred Israelites_ which were with him; and who might still be considered the _subjects of SAUL_, though now residing in a foreign land. 2. The servants of ACHISH; i.e., David's men thus considered; because on his coming to Gath, he had in effect given up himself and his men to Achish. But Saul may be the master to whom Achish refers, and the words convey a delicate information to David that he is no vassal, but still at liberty....

WITH THY MASTER’S SERVANTS - The clue to this may be found in 1 Chronicles 12:19, where it appears that a considerable number of Manassites “fell” to David just at this time, and went back with him to Ziklag. It is therefore to these new comers that Achish applies the expression. It is impossible not to recognize here a merciful interposition of Providence, by which David was not only saved from fighting against his king and country, but sent home just in time to recover his wives and property from the Amalekites 1 Samuel 30. That David maintained his position by subtlety and falsehood, which were the invariable characteristics of his age and nation, is not in the least to be wondered at. No sanction is given by this narrative to the use of falsehood....

DAVID'S DISMISSAL FROM THE PHILISTINE CAMP (1 Samuel 29:1.). EXPOSITION MARCH OF THE PHILISTINE ARMY (1 Samuel 29:1). 1 SAMUEL 29:1 THE PHILISTINES GATHERED, etc. The narrative, broken off for the description of Saul's abasement, is again resumed from 1 Samuel 28:1. APHEK. As we saw on 1 Sa

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 SOON AS YE BE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND HAVE LIGHT, DEPART; he advises them to get away as soon as they could, lest the Philistines should fall upon them, and force them, and he could not say what mischief might befall them; wherefore for their safety it was best to depart as soon as they could see their way....

8. DAVID AND ACHISH AND ZIKLAG DESTROYED AND AVENGED CHAPTER 29 _ 1. The objections of the Philistine lords (1 Samuel 29:1)_ 2. Achish dismisses David (1 Samuel 29:6) While David's enemy, Saul, heard his coming doom, David was still with the enemies of God's people. The Philistines were gathered against Israel and David was with Achish ready to fight against the Lord's people. The lords of the Philistines however object to his presence. They still remember the song of bygone days and fear treachery. Then follows the description of how Achish and David parted. David's words expressing his great willingness to stay with the enemies of God show how deep a believer may fall when he has wandered away from God. He calls wicked Achish “my lord the King” and his own people Israel,

1 SAMUEL 29-31., 2 SAMUEL 1:1 (J). SUBSTANTIALLY THESE SECTIONS ARE A CONTINUOUS NARRATIVE FROM THE SAME DOCUMENT. XXIX. David is Dismissed from the Philistine Army. Continues 1 Samuel 28:1 ff. As the Philistines are mustering for the battle, Achish reluctantly dismisses David at the instance of the princes, and bids him withdraw next morning, adding (so Driver and others, with LXX), And go ye to the place [Ziklag] which I have appointed for you, and do not harbour evil thoughts in thy heart, for thou hast my full confidence and favour, lit. Do not put a pestilent word in thy heart, for thou art good before me. Probably the original Heb. for pestilent word was word of Belial....

WITH THY MASTER'S SERVANTS. Septuagint reads "thou, and the servants of thy lord". Probably the Manassites named in 1 Chronicles 12:19; 1 Chronicles 12:20, who deserted to David. with thee. The Septuagint adds "and depart unto the place where. appointed you, and entertain no evil thought in thy heart; _for_ thou art good in my sight"....

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....

_David Departs from Achish._ 1 Samuel 29:8-11 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. _5._ Why did David protest?...