(1) Would the future king of Israel fight against the people of Israel?
Note how the leaders of the Philistines called David, "these Hebrews" v.3, "[potentially] our adversary in the battle" v.4, "[the one who struck down] tens of thousands [of Philistines]" v.5.
Actually, what they said was closer to the truth than what Achish thought about David. According to Achish, David was reliable and honest to him v.6-7. However, David had never told him the truth of whom he actually raided upon (27:8-12).
At the end of the day, the leaders of the Philistines won over Achish and David did not need to go to the battle. God was sovereign and prevented David from fighting his own people.
(NAC) The events of this chapter must be viewed as the providential supply of an alibi, excusing David from any involvement in the death of king Saul
Reflection: David was forced to leave Israel by the pursuing of Saul. He left and lived in the land of Philistines. Living in the land of Philistines had the advantage of escaping from Saul, but also had its own disadvantage: being asked to fight against your own people. When the situation arose, God protected him from this dilemma and sent away by the other Philistine leaders.
Have you experienced God's protection in a dilemma? Voting? A lot of things we cannot predict and do not know which one is the best choice. We can only ask God to protect us and protect this country.
(2) What was in the mind of David?
David did not accept the sending off by the Philistines right the way. Instead, he protested to Achish and asked what he had done wrong v.8.
29:8 But David said to Achish, “What have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day that I first came into your presence until the present time, that I shouldn’t go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?”
Obviously, David did not want to kill the people of Israel and that was why he lied to Achish whom he raided upon in 27:8-12. Why did he protest against the order?
Note, that was the same question David asked Saul when Saul pursued him.
26:18 He went on to say, “Why is my lord chasing his servant? What have I done? What wrong have I done?
Other than hiding the identity of the people he raided David had not done anything wrong to his master. He was a good servant to both Saul and Achish. Saul had never appreciated him, but Achish did.
Other than hiding the identity of the people he raided David had not done anything wrong to his master. He was a good servant to both Saul and Achish. Saul had never appreciated him, but Achish did.
Reflection: How do we do as the servant of God? Have we done anything wrong?
Are you not being appreciated by your boss? God knows and we will be appreciated if we keep being faithful.
Audrey
2024
B:
1. Achish trusted David and willing to speak up for him when other leaders doubted on him.
v.3 I have found no fault with him from the day of his defection until the present time!”
Even when he had to send David home he tried to confirmed him
v.6 As surely as the LORD lives, you are an honest man...I have found no fault with you from the day that you first came to me until the present time
He reconfirmed with David after he protest about the sending off
v.9 I am convinced that you are as reliable as the angel of God!
2. On one hand, the readers know that Achish was fooled by David and gained his undeserved trust. But, on the other hand, David must have done his job right in order to have this kind of trust by Achish.
3. Most importantly, the doubt of the leaders of P accomplished the providential protection of God over David. With a boss that trusted David so much, it was almost impossible for David to avoid fighting with Israel. But, God was in control. At the end, David did not need to fight against his own people. Israelites did not hate him and he could be their king in the future.
R: Sometimes we just need to trust God to be in control. In a situation that we do not see any hope God will work things out from any sources. I remembered when I saw only a few kids come to the Fall Festival I was so disappointed. But then 1 family is willing to stay for lunch and then come again for weeks. That was the work of God.
Questions:
1. David needed the help of Achish to stay away from Saul. Therefore, in order to keep his trust on him, David needed to go to war with them. On the other hand, David did not want to fight or kill Israel because they are his own. Also it may become a problem in the future when he became their king.
2. v.5 David his tens of thousands
3. David was trusted by Achish undeservingly. People also trust me who is undeserved. I have very bad thoughts in my minds. And a lot of things I do not know God's will or do not know how to do.
4 God still helped David out of his situation. Out of sin and unbelief I had argument with Mike. I made comment to him that he did not like and we were not right for a day, but God was gracious and help us to get back to each other again. No one I should be too comfortable with and not mind my own sinful tongue.
Comments