Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 29

Verses 1-11

David Escapes from a Dilemma (29:1-11)

The Philistine army gathered at Aphek, and in the military review the Philistine "commanders" noticed the presence of David and his Hebrews. Precedent had not been favorable to Hebrew mercenaries, for there was still fresh memory of those who had deserted to Saul at Geba (1 Samuel 14:21). Moreover, the Philistine leaders knew of David’s reputation as a warrior superior to Saul and as a doughty opponent to their own forces. Achish might testify to David’s loyalty to himself and to his enmity to Saul, but this did not allay the suspicion of the princes. Meantime the dilemma must have become acute for David — how was he to avoid fighting against his own people and against the Lord’s anointed one? Fortunately the situation was now taken out of his hands. Under pressure from the commanders, Achish withdrew David from the battle array and sent him back to the land of the Philistines. Although David dissembled by regarding the decision as a reflection upon his own loyalty to Achish, we can sense the relief he must have felt. The location of Aphek appears to have been, like Jezreel, in the Plain of Esdraelon.