Undeserved Praise

Having been overruled by the other lords of the Philistines, Achish of Gath now dismisses David from participation in the Philistine attack on Israel. He does so apologetically, for he is absolutely convinced of David’s loyalty: ‘ “Surely, as the Lord lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight. For to this day I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me,” ‘ Achish says. It is ironic that David served Saul with complete integrity, but Saul saw only evil in him, whereas David has served Achish of Gath most deceitfully, but receives back praise for loyalty. Perhaps hearing this praise causes David to blush since it is all based on his deception. He has not been ” ‘upright,’ “and his service has seemed good to Achish and Achish has found no evil in him only because Achish is so gullible. Perhaps the Holy Spirit even uses these words to prick David’s conscience, to help him realize how false he has been.

However, whether or not David is shamed by Achish’s words, he does not immediately change his behavior. Instead, he keeps up his pretenses, acting as if he is disappointed that he must miss out on the Philistine attack on Israel. He protests that he has done no wrong and asserts that he wants to fight the enemies of ” ‘my lord the king.’ ” Like David’s words when Achish ordered him to come along for the battle (28:2), this vague statement can be taken in different ways. Achish thinks David is talking about him. But it is also possible that David is surreptitiously declaring his desire to fight the enemies of Saul (namely the Philistines) or even of God (the Philistines and others).

This deceitful protestation only elicits more praise from Achish: ” ‘You are as good in my sight as an angel of God,’ ” he says. But he doesn’t relent—the Philistine leaders have spoken, ruling that David cannot participate in the battle. Thus, Achish orders him to leave, and David and his men set out at first light in order to return to Ziklag. In all likelihood he goes trudging away in apparent disappointment, but he must be flooded with relief to be delivered from his dilemma. However, that relief is to be short-lived, for God has another purpose in engineering David’s dismissal from the Philistine attack, as we will see when we consider 1 Samuel 30.