seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Samuel 29:1 The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. 2 As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish. 3 The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”
Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.”
4 But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master’s favor than by taking the heads of our own men? 5 Isn’t this the David they sang about in their dances:
“‘Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his tens of thousands’?”
6 So Achish called David and said to him, “As surely as the Lord lives, you have been reliable, and I would be pleased to have you serve with me in the army. From the day you came to me until today, I have found no fault in you, but the rulers don’t approve of you. 7 Now turn back and go in peace; do nothing to displease the Philistine rulers.”
8 “But what have I done?” asked David. “What have you found against your servant from the day I came to you until now? Why can’t I go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”
9 Achish answered, “I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, ‘He must not go up with us into battle.’ 10 Now get up early, along with your master’s servants who have come with you, and leave in the morning as soon as it is light.”
11 So David and his men got up early in the morning to go back to the land of the Philistines, and the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
Here's the link to the commentary I use.
That you may not displease the lords of the Philistines: David used to displease the lords of the Philistines all the time. He used to be a mighty warrior for the cause of God, and he used to strike fear in the heart of every enemy of God. Now, David is concerned about displeasing the lords of the Philistines.
Is this the same David who fought Goliath? Could you imagine someone coming to David before that battle, and saying, “Excuse me David, I don’t think you should do that. You might displease the lords of the Philistines.” What do you think David’s response would be? He might say, “Of course I will displease the lords of the Philistines. I want to displease the lords of the Philistines. I can’t wait to displease the lords of the Philistines. Let me know if I ever stop displeasing the lords of the Philistines.” But all that is a distant memory in this time of backsliding and compromise for David.
But what have I done: David seems genuinely disappointed that he will not be able to fight for the Philistines against Israel.
He shall not go up with us to the battle... as soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart: David wanted to fight with the Philistines against Israel but God wouldn’t let him. David’s heart is in a bad place, but God didn’t abandon him. We should praise God for the times when He keeps us from sinning as bad as we want to.
To return to the land of the Philistines: The Holy Spirit made it clear to David. All these events were a wake-up call to David. He should have heard God speaking in many ways, but he didn’t. Instead, he made his return to the land of the Philistines. It will take a dramatic crisis to bring David back to where he should be.
Well, I actually probably should have just left these verses out. Yesterday we learned, through Samuel, conjured by the Witch of Endor, that Saul and his sons, would not survive the battle David is trying to fight according to these verses.
Now if David was part of the Philistine army, he might be responsible for running Saul through with a spear!
David couldn't do that... after all, Saul is still the anointed King of Israel.
David could route Philistine villages with his men because he left no witnesses to the dastardly deeds. David was killing every human... even little kids... even little babies... even old women who didn't have a clue anymore!
Those Philistine generals were smarter than one might think. They knew David was a warrior. They knew he should be fighting with the Israelites and not the Philistines. Those generals knew David could double-cross Achish.
I think the reason I didn't just skip over these verses is.... these verses show how God protected David. If David had been in the battle, he might have been the one who ran Saul through with a spear. If David had been in the battle, he might have been the one who ran a spear through Jonathan, Saul's son.
David had been with the Philistines so long, Achish thought he had turned. Achish, didn't know that David and his men were raiding Achish's own towns. David left no survivors to squeal.
David didn't know that Samuel, through the Witch of Endor, revealed that Saul would not survive this battle.
David didn't know that Samuel, through the Witch of Endor, revealed that Saul's sons would not survive this battle.
David was told to go back to wherever he was staying. David had orders not to fight.
God and the Philistines didn't want David at the battle.
God can make a donkey talk. He can surely make a human Philistinian say the words He wants them to say.
God sent David back to Ziklag. That town was about 15 miles east of Gaza.
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Last night I was flipping through the channels and I came to the religious channels [TBN]. A Messianic Jew, Jonathan Cahn, was selling a book called "Dragon Prophecy".
Here's what I learned.... Philistine is the Jewish [Hebrew] root for the word Palestinian.
The Philistines are the same people as the Palestinians.
David was wiping out entire towns of the Palestinians.
As a matter of fact, Jonathan Cahn was relating all the warring in the Middle East today with Revelation. Mr. Cahn was selling a book about dragons. He seems to think the war in Gaza is fulfilling "End Times" prophecy.
"It's been a too long time, with no peace of mind......"
Our Peace has been stolen.... that is also "End Times" prophecy.
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That said.... getting back to these verses....
The Philistines [Palestinians] made Achish send David away.
The Philistines [Palestinians] didn't want David at the Battle.
The Philistines [Palestinians] thought David would double-cross them.
David wasn't wanted in Gaza....
