1 Samuel

1 Samuel 29:1-3

The battle lines were drawn and David finds himself serving in this army of godless people.  David's compromise led him there; he's lived a lie and told more lies to cover up who he really was.  He had gotten so good at this he believed the lies himself.  Even the Philistines knew something was wrong; these Hebrews didn't belong among them.  Somethings broken when the enemies of God see the situation more clearly than the children of God.  Then, if the point wasn't made strong enough, the Philistine King attests to David's loyalty to the Philistines.  This is incredible that David isn't shocked out of this place of compromise; its also telling that the six hundred continued to follow him. 

1 Samuel 29:4-5

David still had a reputation among the Philistines; a reputation he certainly hadn't lived up to for some time.  They thought he may turn against them in the heat of battle.  For this reason, they didn't trust Achish's judgment and they didn't trust David.

1 Samuel 29:6-11

The Philistines do David a huge favor.  This is the grace of the Lord watching over David in his most backslidden state.  The Lord kept David from going into battle and killing his own people.  It's fascinating that David is offended at the lack of trust.  I want to believe David is playing Achish but there is no indicaiton that's what was happening. 

©2015 Doug Ford