The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 534

Vers. 1-11.-Achish. David had, in the course of his life, friendly relations with several heathen princes. One of these was Achish (elsewhere called "Abimelech Ps. xxxiv., inscription), son of Maoch, and king of Gath, one of the five royal cities' the seats of the princes of the Philistine confederacy. What is recorded of hi~ shows that he was a remarkable mnn. Whilst Saul persecuted David Achish pro- tected him; and whilst the former, in the midst of Israel, "with the la~" of Moses committed atrocious crime, itnd sank into heathen superstition, the latter in the midst of heathenism, "without the law" (Rom. ii. 11-16), exhibited much mor~l excellence nnd approached the faith of Israel (ver. 6). He may have profited in religion~ kno"·ledge by his intercourse with David; on the other hand, his example was in some respects worthy of imitation by him. We must not attribute to him virtue& which he did not possess; but we see in him a man much better than we might ha,e expected to find from the disadvantages under which he Jived .. He was dis- tinguished by-1. Self-interested poli,cy. Although he may have felt some sympathy with Da,id in his persecution by Saul, yet he appears to have received him under his protection chiefly because of the aid he hoped to obtain from him for himself and his peuple ( eh. xxvii. 12). 2. Unsuspecting confidence. He had much reason to be suspicious of David from his knowledge o.f his victory over the champion of Gath,_ and his recollection of his former visit; but he put an unreserved trust in his repre- sentations (eh. xxviii. 2), and even when others suspected him did not withdraw it. A trustful disposition is liable to be imposed upon, but it is always worthy of admira- tion. 3. Royal generosity, in permitting David to dwell in Gath, making him a pre- sent of Ziklag, and appointing him to an honourable post in his army. He was mthout envy or jealousy, and acted toward him in a manner worthy of a king. 4. Discriminating awrecwtion; admiring the military bravery of David and the still higher qualities which he possessed. "I have found no fault in him," &c. (vers. 3, 6, 9). There must have been much in common between these two men to h_ave enabled them to live on such friendly terms with each other for so long a period_ Excellence perceives and appreciates_ excelle?c~. 5. Honourable .fidelity1 _bo_th i~ testifying to the worth of David and m subm1ttrng to "the lords of the Ph1hstmes, with whom be was associated (ver. 7). 6. Courteous consideration. "And now return, and go in peace," &c. (ver. 7). "Rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants,'' &c. (ver. 10; 1 Chron. xii. 19-22). He was frank and commendatory even to flattery, and desirous not to hurt his feelings by the manner of his dismissal. 7. Devout sentiment. ".As Jehovah liveth,'' &0. (ver. 6). How much he meant by this expression we know not. But we may believe that, notwithstanding he was united with others in conflict with Israel, there was in him (as the effect of that Divine mercy and grace which wrought i~ all nations) "some good thing towar~ the- Lord God of Israel." And "in every nat10n he that feareth God, and worketh nght, eousness, is accepted with him " (Acts x. 35).-D. Ver. 2.-A false position. What a dilemma for David I He could not refuse the confidence he had sought from Achish. He could not renounce the allegiance he-had so recently pledged. J£ he should disobey the king of Gath, he could lo~k for nothing but indignant reproach and a traitor's doom. If he should obey him, he would, in course of a few days, be lighting against his own nation, and bringing them again under the yoke of the Philistines; and this would be worse than_ death. Per• plexed and reluctant, he marched in the rear of the invnrling army, 111rffering inwardly OB'. XXIX. 1-11.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 5t7