Chapter 68—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. Should he quit the post
assigned him and retire from the field with ingratitude and treachery
to Achish who had protected him? Such an act would cover his name
with infamy and expose him to the wrath of enemies more to be feared
than Saul.
Yet he could not for a moment consent 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 should Saul
be slain in the engagement, his death would be charged upon David.
Far better would it have been to find refuge in God’s strong fortress
of the mountains than with the avowed enemies of His people. But the
Lord in His great mercy did not punish His servant by leaving him in
his distress and perplexity. Though David, losing his grasp on divine
power, had turned aside from the path of strict integrity, 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 the presence of David and his
force with the army in the approaching conflict.
“What do these Hebrews here?” cried the Philistine lords, pressing
about Achish. The latter answered, “Is not this David, the servant of
Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these
[501]
years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this
day?”
David Sent Back to Ziklag
But the princes angrily persisted: “Make this fellow return, that he
may go again to his place which thou has appointed him, and let him
go not down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to
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