David Rejected By The Philistines Series

Scripture

In our study of the life of David, we have noted that the final few chapters of First Samuel are not in chronological order. They are arranged thematically. Chapter 27 shows us David’s dilemma, caused by his temporary faithlessness. Chapter 28 shows us Saul’s dilemma, caused by his permanent faithlessness. Chapter 29 shows us David’s deliverance, as he is saved by the Philistines. And chapter 31 shows us Saul’s death, as he is destroyed by the Philistines. In these final chapters, the author shows us the difference between a person who has a personal relationship with God (David) and a person who has no personal relationship with God (Saul).

Today we are going to study 1 Samuel 29:1-11, the chapter that shows us David’s deliverance, as he is saved by the Philistines.

So, let’s read about David’s rejection by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 29:1-11:

1 Now the Philistines had gathered all their forces at Aphek. And the Israelites were encamped by the spring that is in Jezreel. 2 As the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear with Achish, 3 the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me now for days and years, and since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day.” 4 But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him. And the commanders of the Philistines said to him, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place to which you have assigned him. He shall not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For how could this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of the men here? 5 Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances,

‘Saul has struck down his thousands,

and David his ten thousands’?”

6 Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the Lord lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. 7 So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” 8 And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” 9 And Achish answered David and said, “I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ 10 Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light.” 11 So David set out with his men early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel. (1 Samuel 29:1-11)

Introduction

Most of you have heard of the expression: “Waiting for the other shoe to drop,” which means “waiting for something to happen you feel is inevitable.” Do you know where the expression originated? Apparently, it came from the tenements of New York City in the late 19th and early 20th century, where apartments were built with bedrooms on top of one another. It was common to hear your upstairs neighbor take off a shoe, drop it, and then repeat the action. It became shorthand for waiting for something you knew was coming.

David had been anointed as a teenager to be the next king over Israel. God had promised this. However, David waited a long time for the other shoe to drop, that is, to become king.

David served Saul in his army for a number of years, and was extremely successful in his military campaigns. But then Saul became murderously jealous of David when he heard the women of Israel sing, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7; 21:11). So, for more than seven years Saul hunted David like the elusive prey that could never be caught.

After sixteen unsuccessful attempts by Saul to kill David, David had had enough. He went with all his followers to live in Philistia. Achish, the king of Gath, one of the five lords of Philistia, granted David safe haven in a town called Ziklag.