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David’s Heavy Trial
This chapter is based on 1 Samuel 29; 30; 2 Samuel 1.
David and his men had not taken part in the battle between Saul
and the Philistines, though they had marched with the Philistines
to the field of conflict. As the two armies prepared to join battle,
the son of Jesse found himself in great perplexity. Achish expected
him to fight for the Philistines. Should he leave the post assigned
him and withdraw from the field with ingratitude and treachery to
Achish, who had protected him? Such an act would give him a bad
name and expose him to the wrath of enemies who were more to be
feared than Saul.
Yet he could not for a moment agree to fight against Israel and
become a traitor to his country—the enemy of God and of His people.
It would forever bar his way to the throne of Israel. And if Saul was
killed in the battle, many would charge David with his death.
It would have been much better to find refuge in God’s strong
fortress of the mountains than with the sworn enemies of His people,
but the Lord in His great mercy did not punish His servant by leaving
him in his distress and perplexity. Although David had left the path
of strict integrity when he had lost his grasp on divine power, it was
still the purpose of his heart to be true to God. Angels of the Lord
moved upon the Philistine princes to protest against having David
and his force with the army in the approaching conflict.
“What are these Hebrews doing here?” cried the Philistine lords,
crowding around Achish. He replied, “Is this not David, the servant
of Saul king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or these
years? And to this day I have found no fault in him since he defected
to me.”
David Sent Back to Ziklag
But the princes angrily persisted: “Make this fellow return, that
he may go back to the place which you have appointed for him,
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