Bible Commentaries

1 Samuel 29:6. As the Lord liveth. It is very remarkable that Achish should swear by Jehovah. David, it would seem, had converted him to this confession of faith; and therefore he regarded David as an angel of God, as he says, 1 Samuel 29:9.

REFLECTIONS.

This chapter exhibits as fine a scheme of the care of providence over David as any in the sacred writings. When the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel, David, with all his forces, of course, assembled with them. And on the review; when they passed before their kings by hundreds and thousands, to have officers appointed, and exhibit a grand martial parade, the presence of David gave umbrage to the princes. Conscious of his superior valour from past experiment, perhaps they were secretly jealous that he would eclipse their glory; but they artfully preferred their objection on the ground of suspicion. And happy was it for David in a double view; first, he avoided giving a sad wound to his country, and a deep stain to his own reputation; and secondly, he returned but just in time to retake the spoil of Ziklag, which Amalek had carried away. How wonderfully does providence undertake the cause of those who seek to please God. Let us learn hence, that God will manage the enmity of our neighbours, and the jealousy of our rivals, for our advantage, while we seek to stand in the divine counsel. For surely no man can read all these tokens of the care of heaven over David, and not admit the doctrine of a particular providence. The hairs of his head were all numbered, and neither Saul, nor the Ziphites, nor any of his foes could do him any harm. Well might he say, The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?