The Philistines Reject David

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 1 Samuel 29:1-11. The Philistines gathered their troops at Aphek and the Israelites camped by a fountain in Jezreel. David and his men were behind the Philistine army with Achish rather than lining up with Israel for battle, but they weren’t there for long.

When the princes of the Philistines saw David and his men they became angry. The Philistine princes asked, “Why are theses Hebrews here?”

Achish told the princes that this was David, servant to Saul, king of Israel. Achish had learned to trust David since he had come to stay in their territory. Achish defended David saying he has been with me for a while now and I haven’t found any fault in him.

The princes demanded that Achish send David away. They didn’t want him to go to battle with them. They were afraid David would turn on them in the heat of the battle.

The princes questioned Achish saying, “Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?”

Achish called David to him and told David that he had found favor in his sight. Achish admitted that David hadn’t caused him any trouble since he had been with him. Achish asked David to go in peace because the princes of the Philistines weren’t comfortable with him going with them to war.

David questioned Achish asking, “What have I done?” David asked Achish, “Haven’t I been a faithful servant to you, I haven’t caused you any trouble since I’ve been with you?”

Achish once again reassured David that he had been a blessing from God to him, but the princes wouldn’t allow him to go with them. He insisted that David and his men rise early the next morning and return to the land of the Philistines. So David and his men did as Achish requested.

David had been hiding out in enemy territory for a while. Now he was willing to fight on the enemies side in order to protect himself and his men. Can we hide in the light of the world so long that we are willing to fight on opposite sides from the LORD?

God didn’t allow David to fight against Israel. Even though he had been faithful to Achish he was rejected by those in charge of the Philistine army. This reminds me that sometimes God might allow us to get so far away from Him, but there comes a time when He says enough. He draws a line in the sand and points us back in the right direction.

Daily Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 29:1-11

1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.
2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this day?
4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.
8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master’s servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
11 So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

Things to think about:

• Why was David with the Philistine’s?

• Whose favor had David earned?
• Had David become so devoted to Achish that he was will to fight against Israel?

• Who wasn’t comfortable with David being a part of the Philistine army?

• What did Achish tell David and his men to do?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture we see that David had been a faithful servant to Achish. He was lined up for battle with the Philistines. David and his men were turned away when it came time for battle. Help us to realize that there is no place for us in enemy territory. Even though we may be accepted to a point there comes a time when the line is drawn in the sand and we must return. Keep us in the center of Your will and don’t allow us to play the games of the enemy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Christian Music Video: “Battle” – Chris August

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study. We will continue with the study of The Book of 1 Samuel.

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