Achish Sends David Back to Ziklag
When war again threatens between Israel and the Philistines, the rulers of the other plains cities will not trust David among their forces. He is sent back to Ziklag.
4 But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; so the princes of the Philistines said to him, “Make this fellow return, that he may go back to the place which you have appointed for him, and do not let him go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become our adversary. For with what could he reconcile himself to his master, if not with the heads of these men? 5 Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands’?”
” 8 So David said to Achish, “But what have I done? And to this day what have you found in your servant as long as I have been with you, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” 9 Then Achish answered and said to David, “I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.‘ 10 Now therefore, rise early in the morning with your master’s servants who have come with you. And as soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart.”
–> It’s not a bad thing to be recognized by Philistines (people of the world) that you don’t belong to them. David indeed never was part of them. We live among them but are not part of them.
As I read this chapter, I realize that David was not in control of the situation at all. As a matter of fact, he protested to king Achish who was sending him away “What have I done?” David didn’t know what was happening to him and where he was going. But, since he trusted God, God was with him and actively directing his life.
