Joel M Bradshaw

4But 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?…

…8And 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?”9And 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.’ 10Now 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.”–1 Samuel 29

This text gives us two pieces of information regarding Fugitive David.

1. The Philistines feared that David was playing the long con. Ingratiate yourself to Achish on the run from Saul and then make peace with Saul by killing the Philistines instead. Maybe they were smarter than how the text usually describes them? Nonetheless, they wanted David gone, no matter how mighty of a warrior he was.
2. Achish had no legitimate gripe against David. He saw David as a blessing and wanted him by his side at all times. We see a similar attitude with others promoting Joseph in the Genesis story as God was with Joseph. David had maintained a testimony of goodness and faithfulness to Achish and to the Philistines.

Two verses came to mind this morning. The first is from the letter of the prophet Jeremiah to the exiles. The second is a famous line of Jesus.

 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (Jeremiah 29:7)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

This was the testimony David maintained as a fugitive on the run in a foreign land while living in service of a foreign king. What testimony do you maintain?–JMB