“And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish”
Context:The book of 1 Samuel provides an account of the prophet Samuel’s ministry, the establishment of the monarchy in Israel, and the reign of King Saul. In this particular chapter, we find David, who had been anointed by Samuel as the future king of Israel, living in exile among the Philistines to escape Saul’s pursuit.
And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: This phrase refers to the Philistine military leaders or commanders who were organizing their troops to march into battle. The Philistines were an ancient enemy of Israel, and their presence posed a threat to the Israelites.
But David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish: David and his men were accompanying their Philistine ally, Achish, the king of Gath. The term rereward here refers to the rear guard or the last position in the marching order. In other words, David and his men were positioned at the back of the Philistine army.
Lessons from 1 Samuel 29:2:
- David’s dilemma: At this point in David’s life, he found himself in a complicated situation. He had sought refuge among the Philistines due to Saul’s relentless pursuit, but this alliance posed a moral conflict for him. As an anointed future king of Israel, he was essentially supporting the enemy of God’s people. This verse highlights the tension and predicament David faced, caught between loyalty to the Philistines and his destiny as God’s chosen king.
- God’s sovereignty and protection: Despite David’s compromise in aligning with the Philistines, God’s providence remained evident. Though David was among the Philistine forces, he and his men were stationed at the back of the army. This positioning allowed God’s hand of protection to shield David from any direct confrontation with the Israelites, where he might have been compelled to fight against his own people. God was preserving David’s life and keeping him from harm’s way.
- The consequences of compromised alliances: The situation in which David found himself was a result of his decision to seek refuge among the Philistines. While it may have seemed expedient in the short term, aligning with God’s enemies compromised David’s integrity and potentially put him at odds with God’s will. This verse serves as a reminder of the dangers of compromising our convictions and forming alliances that may lead us away from God’s purposes.
- God’s grace and redemptive plan: Although David made a flawed decision by seeking refuge among the Philistines, God’s redemptive plan for him remained intact. God would later work through the circumstances to guide David back to his calling as the king of Israel. This demonstrates God’s unfailing grace and His ability to use even our mistakes and missteps for His ultimate purposes.
