Joel M Bradshaw

5Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

6So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since. 7David lived in Philistine territory a year and four months.

8Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these peoples had lived in the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) 9Whenever David attacked an area, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but took sheep and cattle, donkeys and camels, and clothes. Then he returned to Achish.

10When Achish asked, “Where did you go raiding today?” David would say, “Against the Negev of Judah” or “Against the Negev of Jerahmeel” or “Against the Negev of the Kenites.” 11He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, “They might inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’ ” And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. 12Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.”–1 Samuel 27

1. David had arranged an alliance to stay with the Philistines.
2. Thus, fugitive David received protection from Saul and the Philistines got a mighty warrior to use as an attacker against Saul.
3. David smartly secured a town away from the royal court so he could have relative freedom and work his plan.
4. David attacked the enemies of the Philistines, but ONLY those that were not Israel or who also were a danger to Israel.
5. Thus, under the Philistine banner, David delivered Israel from enemies around her.
6. David showed shrewdness and wisdom in his decisions that accomplished good for his people.
7. What wise and good decisions can you make in your current situation?–JMB