The scene switches back to the Philistine side – the army is assembled to fight against Israel – David and his men at the rear – the army is on review – the generals are giving the once over. They don’t like the fact that David and his men are present – they are afraid they might turn on them (v 1-4). The princes are angry with their king for allowing David to be there. Achish the king is obviously a very gullible man as we have mentioned earlier, and he tries to justify his position. He concedes to his princes and generals and explains personally to David that they will not accept them and tells him and his men to go back home (v5-7). David is upset and said that he wanted to fight with Philistines (v8-10).
Here is a God-sent opportunity for David to get out of a tricky situation but he continues the charade and doesn’t want to go back – however, fortunately for David, he eventually obeys. This is evidently the LORD’s doing because of what follows (v11).
How often do we, having got ourselves in a compromising situation, fail to recognize the working of God to get us out of it?
1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul says that the things which happened in the Old Testament times were for an example to us and “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it”.
What a wonderful statement and promise. Let us recognize the way of escape and let us make sure that we take it.
