You will remember from chapter 28 how David was expected to fight with the Philistines on behalf of King Achish, who was impressed with his prowess in battle.
Throughout his life, David has been able to maintain profitable relationships with his enemies. The first and most obvious is King Saul, but we should also look at how David handled his relationship with King Achish. He never got too close so as to make himself an obvious enemy of his people, but he stayed close enough to the Philistines so that he could personally benefit from them.
David used the Philistines as a form of protection as Saul hunted for him and he also fought under the guise as a part of the Philistine army, but he did so to selectively defeat those other peoples that were enemies to Israel. We look at David and his political, strategic, and spiritual savvy: how did he do it? He was shrewd yet godly. David was smart and capable in both brains and brawn and he used both to his advantage. It should prompt us to wonder – how are we using our talents and blessings to bring attention to the glory of God?
In this chapter, David finds himself at a loss. Even though Achish values and trusts David, the princes of the Philistines remember all too well how effective David was in battle against the Philistines early on. They fear that he will become their adversary, so it is safe to say that they do not trust him. They know where his true allegiance lies, even if Achish is blind to it:
“But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; so the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make this fellow return, that he may go back to the place which you have appointed for him, and do not let him go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become our adversary. For with what could he reconcile himself to his master, if not with the heads of these men? Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?”
The depth of the relationship between David and Achish seems genuine. See how Achish can testify of David even in light of the displeasure of the lords of the Philistines: “Then Achish called David and said to him, “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. Nevertheless the lords do not favor you. Therefore return now, and go in peace, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.”
Achish seems to understand David. I do not think that we can think that he is blind to David’s true allegiances, but I could be wrong. I think it is interesting that a man like David could have a civil relationship with his enemy without being duplicitous. After all, he did impress upon Achish that he was devoted to God: “I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God.”
David, the “man after God’s own heart” knew how to live in such a way with friends and enemies so that they believed him, trusted him, and perhaps even saw God in him. David was an imperfect man, but he was great in much. Tonight let us meditate on our own lives, on our own relationships, and ask ourselves how we can make peace with our enemies in a way that glorifies God.
Monday Night Bible Study 