1 Samuel 29:9

_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._ Achish answered ... I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God. This phrase, which occurs several times in the books of Samuel (2 Samuel 14:17; 2 Samuel 14:20; 2 Samuel 19:27), seems apparently common among the Hebrews as a standard of comparison in the estimate of great wisdom; but it seems strange in the mouth of Achish. Perhaps it arose from the contact of the early Philistines with Abraham and Isaac. NOTWITHSTANDING, THE PRINCES OF THE PHILISTINES HAVE SAID. The P

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 29:9. _AS AN ANGEL OF GOD_] There is some reason to think that Achish had actually embraced or was favourably disposed towards the Jewish religion. He speaks here of _the angels of God_, as a Jew might be expected to speak; and in 1 Samuel 29:6 he appeals to, and swears by _Jehovah_; which, perhaps, no Philistine ever did. It is possible that he might have learned many important truths from David, during the time he sojourned with him....

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

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, and Achish was one of the five, so that there were four to one for the dismissing him; and Achish, though a king, was obliged to submit....

ANGEL (_ See Scofield) - (Hebrews 1:4). _...

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....

AN ANGEL. a messenger. GOD. Hebrew. _Elohim_. App-4....

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....