1 Samuel 29 (Listen)
The Philistines Reject David
29:1 Now the Philistines had gathered all their forces at Aphek. And the Israelites were encamped by the spring that is in Jezreel. 2 As the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear with Achish, 3 the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me now for days and years, and since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day.” 4 But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him. And the commanders of the Philistines said to him, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place to which you have assigned him. He shall not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For how could this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of the men here? 5 Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances,
‘Saul has struck down his thousands,
and David his ten thousands’?”
6 Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the LORD lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. 7 So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” 8 And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” 9 And Achish answered David and said, “I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ 10 Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light.” 11 So David set out with his men early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel.
(ESV)
1 Samuel 29 Commentary
In 1 Samuel 29, the Philistines prepare for battle at Aphek, and David and his men march with King Achish of Gath (1 Samuel 29:1-2). However, the Philistine commanders were alarmed by David’s presence, and they questioned why a Hebrew was among their ranks. Achish defended David, claiming he had been loyal since defecting from Israel, and that no fault had been found in him (1 Samuel 29:3).
Despite Achish’s defense, the commanders insisted that David be sent back, fearing he might turn against them mid-battle to regain Saul’s favor. They even referenced the famous song celebrating David’s victories over tens of thousands (1 Samuel 29:4-5). Reluctantly, Achish told David to return quietly to Ziklag, affirming his personal trust in David, though acknowledging the other leaders did not share that view (1 Samuel 29:6-7).
David protested, asking what wrongdoing had disqualified him from fighting for Achish, but Achish reiterated the commanders’ decision and instructed David and his men to leave early the next morning (1 Samuel 29:8-10). David obeyed, departing with his men at dawn to return to Philistine territory, while the Philistine army advanced to Jezreel (1 Samuel 29:11).
David: The Philistine Soldier
At the beginning of 1 Samuel 29, the story shifts back in time to just before the Philistines reached Shunem (1 Samuel 28), showing David still at Aphek with King Achish while Saul and Israel are camped at Jezreel (1 Samuel 29:1). Saul likely chose this location for its resources and its strategic position along a key trade route.
As the Philistine army moves out from Aphek, David and his men march at the rear with Achish. But the other Philistine commanders aren’t pleased when they realize there is a Hebrew among the ranks. On top of this, it’s not just any Hebrew – it is David, the man who inspired the Ancient Near East’s Top Billboard Hit (1 Samuel 29:8).
Their concern is legitimate, and it stems from a past betrayal (1 Sam 14:20–21), where Hebrews turned on the Philistines mid-battle, causing confusion and heavy losses. It also made sense to them that David would want to get back into King Saul’s good graces. Despite Achish’s confidence in David (built on over a year of trustworthy interactions), the commanders insist David cannot join the battle.
Achish tries to spare David’s dignity. He affirms David’s loyalty, even swearing by the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 29:6)! Ultimately, he asks David to return to Ziklag peacefully.
Trustworthy David
The David/Saul narrative has been filled with irony and this chapter is no different. Achish, a Philistine, trusts David completely, while Saul, Israel’s king, treats him as a threat. Both kings misjudge David in opposite ways. Achish sees him as loyal, but he’s a threat; Saul sees him as a threat, but he’s loyal.
“Both kings made David their personal bodyguard (cf. 22:14; 28:2); both were impressed with David, particularly his fighting abilities, yet both ended up removing him from the ranks of their armies; both were responsible for David’s making his abode in southern Judah; and both badly misjudged David. Saul considered David his mortal enemy, yet he was in fact his most loyal subject; Achish considered David his most trusted subject, yet he was in fact his most dangerous enemy. Both kings also made inappropriate use of oaths taken in the Lord’s name (cf. 14:39; 29:6). The parallels between Saul and Achish suggest that Saul was indeed a king “such as all the nations have” (cf. 8:5).”
The New American Commentary
David responds with a question that appears sincere but is likely feigned: why can’t he fight the enemies of “my lord the king”? This phrasing is left intentionally ambiguous. Achish thinks David means him, but David may mean Saul, or even God (1 Samuel 29:8).
Achish again praises David, comparing him to an angel of God, but says he must leave at dawn with his men. David complies and returns south, while the Philistine army marches north to Jezreel.
God’s Providence
Importantly, this chapter shows how God’s providence spares David from participating in Saul’s death. It clears him of any suspicion that he conspired with the Philistines. The fact that David knew the ending to his story (that he would be Israel’s king), allowed him to trust God even when things became dangerous.
God was leading David, even in enemy territory, but David’s eyes were fixed on the power of God and the Word of God already spoken. We have the Word of God today. We know the outcome for believers who trust in the shed blood of Jesus to atone for their sin. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ. He has secured our future, just as He did for David.
Today, we can stare down whatever situation we are dealing with because we know that our Savior has already defeated sin and death! He is a good Father, and He is always working. His love and faithfulness endure forever.
