Berean Study Bible The Philistines Reject DavidThe Philistines assembled a full army for a major invasion of Israel. Aphek served as a military gathering point as they prepared to advance into the Jezreel Valley and confront Saul’s forces. 1Sa 4:1 Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel.… while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. Israel’s army camped near a dependable water source in the fertile Jezreel Valley, likely near the spring of Harod. The opposing camps stood near one another as Saul faced a battle that would bring his reign to its end. Jdg 7:1 Early in the morning Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon)… As the Philistine leaders marched out with their units of hundreds and thousands, The Philistine city-states fielded a disciplined and substantial force under their rulers. Their advance toward Israel was part of the campaign that would end in Saul’s defeat at Mount Gilboa. Num 31:14 But Moses was angry with the officers of the army… David and his men marched behind them with Achish. David’s service under Achish had brought him into the Philistine army, creating the prospect that he might be required to fight against Israel. Achish trusted David, but the other Philistine leaders would soon object to his presence, keeping him from joining the battle against his own people. 1Sa 28:1 Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces… Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” The Philistine commanders objected to Israelite men joining their army against Saul. David and his followers were Israelites, and their presence created an obvious danger: they might turn against the Philistines during the battle to regain Saul’s favor. 1Sa 4:6 On hearing the noise of the shout, the Philistines asked,… Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? Achish identified David by his former service under Saul, yet he viewed David as a man who had abandoned Saul and become loyal to Gath. David’s flight from Saul had brought him under Achish’s protection. 1Sa 16:21 When David came to Saul and entered his service,… He has been with me all these days, even years, David had lived in Philistine territory for about a year and four months. During that time, Achish had come to trust him and believed David’s actions served Philistine interests. 1Sa 27:3 David and his men settled in Gath with Achish.… and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.” Achish was confident that David had been faithful, unaware that David had concealed the true nature of his raids and had not turned against Israel. The king’s trust contrasted sharply with the suspicion of the other Philistine leaders. 1Sa 24:11 See, my father, look at the corner of your robe… But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish The Philistine rulers distrusted David because of Israel’s long conflict with Philistia. Although Achish had accepted David as a servant, the other commanders recognized the danger of bringing Israel’s celebrated warrior into battle against his own people. 1Sa 27:12 So Achish trusted David, thinking, “Since he has made himself… and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. David was living in Ziklag, which Achish had given him. Sending him back would remove him from the army while preserving Achish’s arrangement with him. 1Sa 27:6-7 That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day… He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. The commanders feared that David might turn on them at a decisive moment. Their suspicion became God’s means of keeping David from fighting against Israel and from becoming involved in Saul’s final battle. 1Ch 12:19-22 Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went… What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men? They believed David could restore himself to Saul by killing Philistines. David’s former service under Saul and his reputation in battle made their concern understandable, even though David’s return to Saul was no longer possible. 1Sa 18:25-27 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires…”… Is this not the David The Philistine commanders recognize the same David whose victories had made him famous throughout Israel and among its enemies. Though he had taken refuge with Achish, his past service to Israel remained well known. 1Sa 16:12-13 So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in.… about whom they sing in their dances: Israel celebrated military deliverance with public songs and dances, preserving the memory of God’s victories through His chosen leaders. 1Sa 18:6 As the troops were returning home after David had killed… ‘Saul has slain his thousands, The song acknowledged Saul’s success as Israel’s first king, 1Sa 18:7 And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain… and David his tens of thousands’?” The song identified David as the greater warrior. The Philistine commanders feared that he might regain Saul’s favor by turning against them in battle. 1Sa 21:11 But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David?”… So Achish summoned David and told him, Achish, king of Gath, had sheltered David and his men during their flight from Saul. His summons concerns the approaching Philistine campaign against Israel and reflects the serious position David now occupied within Achish’s service. 1Ki 22:9-12 So the king of Israel called one of his officials… “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright, Achish speaks with a solemn oath and affirms David’s conduct throughout his time in Philistine territory. David had maintained Achish’s confidence and had given him no evident reason to question his loyalty. 1Sa 24:17 and said to David, “You are more righteous than I,… and it seems right in my sight that you should march in and out with me in the army, Achish considered David a dependable military leader and intended him to accompany the Philistine army. David’s reputation as a warrior and his apparent service to Achish had earned the king’s trust despite David’s Israelite identity. Jos 14:11 still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out.… because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. Achish testifies that David had consistently behaved in a manner that pleased him. David’s careful conduct preserved his safety among the Philistines while he awaited God’s direction concerning Israel’s throne. Luk 23:4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds,… But you are not good in the sight of the leaders. The Philistine rulers did not share Achish’s confidence. They feared that David might turn against them in battle to regain Saul’s favor, and their suspicion would prevent him from joining the campaign. Jhn 7:48 “Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him? Therefore turn back now Achish dismisses David after the Philistine commanders refuse to trust him in battle against Israel. David’s presence in the army creates an impossible conflict, since he would be fighting his own people. His removal preserves him from joining the Philistine attack. Deu 1:40 But you are to turn back and head for the wilderness… and go in peace, Achish sends David away without punishment or hostility. Though David had served him faithfully, the concerns of the Philistine rulers outweigh Achish’s confidence in him. 2Ki 5:19 “Go in peace,” said Elisha. But after Naaman had traveled… so that you will not do anything to displease The commanders fear that David could turn against them during the battle and seek reconciliation with Saul through Philistine casualties. His past victories against the Philistines made their suspicion understandable. 2Sa 11:25 Then David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab:”… the leaders of the Philistines.” The rulers of the major Philistine cities held authority over military decisions. Their rejection of David prevents him from taking part in Israel’s defeat and sets the stage for his return to Ziklag. Jos 13:3 from the Shihor east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron… “But what have I done?” David protests because Achish has treated him as a trusted servant, while the Philistine commanders refuse to accept him. Living among the Philistines had protected him from Saul, yet their coming war with Israel placed him in a dangerous position. 1Sa 20:1 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah. He came to Jonathan… David replied. He answers Achish respectfully and preserves the confidence the king has placed in him. 1Sa 24:10 Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes… “What have you found against your servant, Achish had found no cause to question David’s conduct, though the other Philistine rulers feared David would turn against them in battle. 1Sa 24:11 See, my father, look at the corner of your robe… from the day I came to you until today, David points to the entire time he had lived under Achish’s protection and maintained the appearance of loyalty. 1Sa 18:5 So David marched out and prospered in everything… to keep me from going along to fight His response sustains that appearance, but the Lord prevents David from being forced to fight against Israel. 2Sa 21:17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid,… against the enemies of my lord the king?” David speaks according to his position in Achish’s service, while the Philistine leaders’ distrust becomes the means of removing him from a battle against his own people. 2Sa 3:18 Now take action, because the LORD has said to David… Achish replied, Achish had given David refuge in Gath and regarded him as a loyal servant. His confidence in David reveals the unusual position David held among Israel’s enemies while fleeing from Saul. 1Sa 28:2 David replied, “Then you will come to know… “I know that you are as pleasing in my sight Achish considered David trustworthy and valuable, likely because David had convinced him that he was no threat to Philistia. David’s conduct had earned the king’s favor even though his ultimate loyalty remained with Israel. 2Sa 14:22 Joab fell facedown in homage and blessed the king.… as an angel of God. Achish expressed the highest confidence in David, viewing him as harmless and dependable. The words are especially striking because David was Israel’s future king and a man whom God had set apart for His purposes. 2Sa 14:17 And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king… But the commanders of the Philistines have said, The Philistine commanders did not share Achish’s trust. They remembered David’s victories over the Philistines and feared that he might turn against them during battle. 1Sa 6:4 “What guilt offering should we send back to Him?”… ‘He must not go into battle with us.’ Their refusal kept David from joining the Philistine army against Israel. God used their suspicion to prevent David from fighting his own people and to preserve his standing before the nation he would later rule. 2Ch 25:10 So Amaziah dismissed the troops who had come to him… Now then, get up early in the morning, Achish urges David to leave without delay. Although he has defended David before the Philistine commanders, their distrust makes David’s continued presence in the camp dangerous. Gen 22:3 So Abraham got up early the next morning,… along with your master’s servants who came with you, David is to depart with the men under his command, including those who had accompanied him into Philistine territory. Their withdrawal removes any possibility that they might be drawn into battle against Israel. Gen 24:54-61 Then he and the men with him ate and drank… and go as soon as it is light.” Leaving at daybreak allows David and his men to travel safely and discreetly back toward Ziklag. The command also preserves David from fighting against Saul and Israel, a conflict that would have endangered his future role as Israel’s king. Gen 19:15 At daybreak the angels hurried Lot along, saying,… So David and his men got up early in the morning David and his men promptly departed after Achish dismissed them from the Philistine army. Their early departure reflects David’s careful leadership and his desire to avoid involvement in the coming battle against Israel. 1Sa 17:20 So David got up early in the morning, left the flock… to return to the land of the Philistines. They returned to Ziklag, the city Achish had given David as a place of refuge. Though living under Philistine protection, David remained committed to Israel and was being kept from fighting against his own people. 1Sa 27:7 And the time that David lived in Philistine territory… And the Philistines went up to Jezreel. The Philistine army advanced into the Jezreel Valley to confront Saul’s forces. Their campaign would soon bring Israel to a devastating defeat on Mount Gilboa, where Saul and his sons would die. 1Sa 28:4 The Philistines gathered together and camped at Shunem… This is a draft of the Berean Study Bible. Please send all comments and recommendations to bereanstudybible@aol.com. Bible Hub |
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