Ver. 1. To Aphek.] Which was contiguous to Shunem. (1 Samuel 28:4) Which is in Jezreel.] This also was near to mount Gilboa. Chronology and topography are the two eyes of history.
Ver. 2. Passed on by hundreds, and by thousands.] Lustrabrant exercitum, they made a general muster, and took a view of their forces, by their several companies, regiments, and brigades. In the rereward with Achish.] Whom they had chosen general; wherefore also he brought up the rear, having David and his men for his bodyguard, which the Philistines as much stomached as the French ever did their king’s guard of Scots.
Ver. 3. What do these Hebrews here?] A people ever as much hated by the heathens for their religion, as afterwards the Christians were: but now more than ordinarily by these Philistines, because their mortal enemies. And I have found no fault in him.] Faults David had not a few, (Psalms 19:12) and if the best man’s faults were written in his forehead, it would make him pull his hat over his eyes, but God had hid them from public notice; which was to him a greater mercy than it is to us, that the filth and stench that is within us annoyeth us not. If Seneca could say of Cato, that he was the lively image of all virtues: and Valerius Maximus of Scipio, that he was the man whom God would have to be born, ut esset in quo virtus per omnes numeros hominibus efficaciter se ostenderet, that he might be a perfect pattern to men of unblamable conversation: how much more might the same be said of the holy David?
Ver. 4. And the princes of the Philistines were wroth.] Therefore it appeareth they were his fellow princes, of the four other Satrapies, since they thus roughly ruffle with him: as also did Achilles in Homer with Agamemnon, — “ οινοβαρες, κυνος ομματ εχων, κραδιην δ ελαφοιο ” - Iliad., lib. i. Make this fellow return.] A happy word for David, who was now in a great perplexity and peril, either of betraying his trust or fighting against his own people: neither of which he could have done with a good conscience. Here, therefore, God cut asunder this gordian knot, which David knew not how to untie. It would be ill with us sometimes, were it not for God’s good providence, and others’ malice. Lest in the battle he be an adversary to us.] As some others have been. (1 Samuel 14:21) He is but a reconciled enemy at best: and Reconciliationes sunt vulpinae amicitiae: he is not to be trusted. This was military prudence in these princes, though Achish had endeavoured to justify David against their jealousies.
Ver. 5. Is not this David?] They knew the acts of other countries. Princes should be good historians, and well seen in foreign affairs.
Ver. 6. Surely, as the Lord liveth.] He swareth by Jehovah, of whom haply he had got some notions, either from the ancient patriarchs, or at least from David, whom haply he thought to please herewith; Diodate saith, he flattered with him; sure it is that David flattered grossly with Achish, (1 Samuel 29:8) which if Achish had known, he would never have said— Thou hast been upright.] It is better, saith one, to live so as thine enemies may be amazed at thy virtues, than that thy friends should have cause to excuse thy vice. Nevertheless the lords favour thee not.] Great men are not always good men. That was an extraordinary example of a nobleman of this nation, who in the worst of times, when he came into jeering company of great ones, would begin and own himself one of those they called Puritans, and so anticipated them. “Not many mighty, not many noble are called”: blessed be God that any are. Mr Burroughs on Hosea i. p. 307.
Ver. 7. Wherefore now return, and go in peace.] Happy for David to be thus opportunely cashiered, when he was, as it were, inter saccum et saxum, in a great doubt what to do, and how to come off with comfort. They that trust in God shall never be confounded. If David had not been thus dismissed, what would have become of poor Ziklag, much about this time sacked by the Amalekites?
Ver. 8. That I may not go fight against the enemies.] This David pretended; but this he would not have done for any good: so that he evidently flattereth and glosseth with Achish. The best have their frailties, not a few: Nimis augusta res est, nuspiam errare.
Ver. 9. Thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God.] Thou art both pious and prosperous; secunde fluunt omnia ubicunque ades. See Genesis 33:19 2Sa 14:17. Chrysostom calleth some eminent Christians of his time earthly angels; and Dr Taylor blessed the Lord that ever he came acquainted with that angel of God, John Bradford. The heathens were not without some blind notions of God and his angels; whom Plato maketh to be caeli motores; and Plutarch, messengers betwixt God and men, Iussa divina ferentes ad homines, et hominum vota ad deos; but excellent persons every way. Notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said.] He rehearseth not all, nor the worst of the princes’ words; to teach us, saith Osiander, that when we do report a tale from another man’s mouth, we should make not the worst, but the best of it. Jun.
Ver. 10. Wherefore now rise up early in the morning.] Matutinum te age in mane, get up by peep of day, before the fight begin. Oh, happy word! the fruit of prayer doubtless, and therefore the sweeter to David; who could the better digest the contumely of being cashiered the army. With thy master’s servants,] i.e., Cum meis servis qui sum dominus tuus, with my servants who are your lord, saith Piscator. But others understand it, and better, of Saul’s servants, and this bred the jealousy.
Ver. 11. To return into the land of the Philistines.] Not to defend their borders, as Josephus will have it; but to do God service at Ziklag, and there to receive such as resorted unto him to make him king. See 1 Chronicles 12:19-21.