John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. And it came to pass in those days , etc.] That David was in the country of the Philistines: that the Philistines gathered their armies together : out of their five principalities or lordships: for warfare to fight with Israel ; with whom they were continually at war, and though sometimes there was a cessation of arms, yet never any settled peace; and the Philistines took every opportunity and advantage against them, as they now did; when David was among them, and so had nothing to fear from him, but rather expected his assistance; and Samuel was dead, and Saul in a frenzy: and Achish said unto David : who seems to have been at the head of the combined armies of the Philistines: know thou assuredly that thou shall go with me to battle, thou and thy men ; against Israel; which was a trying thing to David, and whereby he was like to be drawn into a dilemma; either to fight against his country, which he could not do conscientiously; or be guilty of ingratitude to Achish, and incur his displeasure, and be liable to be turned out of his country, or treated in a worse manner, even he and his men, to be seized on and cut to pieces by the forces of the Philistines, should he refuse.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - David could not refuse Achish without danger. If he promise assistance, and then stood neuter, or went over to the Israelites, he would behave with ingratitude and treachery. If he fought agains Israel, he would sin greatly. It seemed impossible that he should ge out of this difficulty with a clear conscience; but his evasive answer intended to gain time, was not consistent with the character of a Israelite indeed. Troubles are terrors to the children of disobedience In his distress, Saul inquired of the Lord. He did not seek in faith but with a double, unstable mind. Saul had put the law in force agains those that had familiar spirits, Ex 22:18. Many seem zealous against sin, when they are any way hurt by it, who have no concern for the glory of God, nor any dislike of sin as sin. Many seem enemies to sin in others, while they indulge it in themselves. Saul will drive the devil out of his kingdom, yet harbours him in his heart by envy an malice. How foolish to consult those whom, according to God's law, he had endeavoured to root out!
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 בימים3117 ההם1992 ויקבצו6908 פלשׁתים6430 את853 מחניהם4264 לצבא6635 להלחם3898 בישׂראל3478 ויאמר559 אכישׁ397 אל413 דוד1732 ידע3045 תדע3045 כי3588 אתי854 תצא3318 במחנה4264 אתה859 ואנשׁיך׃376
