John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And David said unto Achish, what have I done ? etc.] This question is anticipated by the speech of Achish, who had declared he had found no evil in him; but David must say something to put on an appearance of concern for being dismissed, when he was heartily glad of it: 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 ? which cannot be excused of great dissimulation, since nothing was more foreign from his heart, and against his will, than fighting against the Israelites, and which he determined to avoid if possible; and glad at heart he was to be thus excused, and freed from the straits and difficulties he was involved in; but that the Philistines might have no cause of suspicion of him, and that he was warmly attached to their interest among whom he was still to continue, he put on these airs. Abarbinel is of opinion that the lords of the Philistines were only afraid of David, but not of his men, and therefore were not solicitous about their going, but his, which gave David a concern; and since he was particularly singled out, he desired to know what special evil had been found in him; but when he understood, by the following answer of Achish, that his servants were to go with him, he was content, and said no more; but the princes asked, “what do these Hebrews here?” ( 1 Samuel 29:3).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-11 - David scarcely ever had a greater deliverance than when dismissed from such insnaring service. God's people should always behave themselve so, as, if possible, to get the good word of all they have dealing with: and it is due to those who have acted well, to speak well of them _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 דוד1732 אל413 אכישׁ397 כי3588 מה4100 עשׂיתי6213 ומה4100 מצאת4672 בעבדך5650 מיום3117 אשׁר834 הייתי1961 לפניך6440 עד5704 היום3117 הזה2088 כי3588 לא3808 אבוא935 ונלחמתי3898 באיבי341 אדני113 המלך׃4428
