A Good Man in Bad Company
B. Dale 1 Samuel 29:1-11 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel.… What do these Hebrews here? (ver. 3). The results of the wrong step which David had taken in going into the country of the Philistines now became manifest. In the war against Israel Achish naturally looked to him and his men to go out with him to battle. What was he to do? He might refuse to go. This would have been his straightforward course. But he would thereby forfeit the friendship of Achish, and expose himself to imminent danger. He might go and fight against Israel. This would be to incur the greatest guilt, and imperil his accession to the throne. He might go and turn traitor on the battle field. This was what the Philistines expected (ver. 4), but it would have covered his name with infamy. He determined for the present to continue his prevarication with Achish, who said he should be captain of his bodyguard for the future (1 Samuel 28:1, 2), and went, probably with a troubled conscience, and hoping that he might in some way be relieved from his inconsistent and perplexing position. He was clearly out of his proper place in the Philistine army. His condition represents that of a good man - I. IMPROPERLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNGODLY. It is by no means uncommon for a good man to yield to the temptation to join the wicked in their pursuits, unnecessarily, and from an unjustifiable motive; such as the desire of personal safety, convenience, information, pleasure, or profit - like Lot in Sodom, Jonah going to Tarshish, Peter in the palace of the high priest (see 1 Samuel 15:6). The relation into which he thus enters is inconsistent with - 1. Truth; inasmuch as it usually requires him to deceive others concerning his real character and purposes, by pretending to be what he is not, and concealing what he is. 2. Piety; inasmuch as he is thereby hindered in his devotions (ch. 26:19), exposes himself to fresh temptations, sanctions sinful or doubtful conduct, strengthens the ranks of the enemy, violates his duty to God and his own company "and people. "Those that would be kept from sin must not go on the devil's ground" (M. Henry). "What doest thou here, Elijah?" David - Hebrew - Christian? 3. His own real welfare; inasmuch as he involves himself in unforeseen but certain trouble, places himself beyond the promised protection of God, and exposes himself to the threatened fate of his enemies. II. SHREWDLY SUSPECTED BY HIS ASSOCIATES. He may endeavour to escape their suspicion, and for a time succeed, but it is sooner or later excited by - 1. Something, in himself - his name, appearance, relation to past events ("Is not this David?" etc., vers. 3, 5), peculiar behaviour, faltering and ambiguous explanations. "Thy speech bewrayeth thee." "Did I not see thee in the garden with him?" 2. The occurrence of new circumstances, which quicken perception, call for decision, test and manifest the character, and its congruity or otherwise with present associations. 3. The general instinct of the ungodly. Although some of their number may be deceived, and exhibit unbounded confidence in him (ver. 3), let no one think to escape. "There is nothing hidden that shall not be revealed." III. DEEPLY HUMILIATED BY HIS TREATMENT. 1. Outwardly. In the eyes of others. "Make this fellow return," etc. (ver. 4). He is compelled to leave the society which he has chosen; expelled from it publicly and ignominiously, as one unworthy to be trusted. 2. Inwardly. In his own eyes. The heathen king of Gath appears to have been a faithful and honourable man; and his expression of confidence in David (vers. 3, 6), in contrast to the dishonourable prevarication of the latter (ver. 8), must have put him to shame. "The flattering commendations of worldly people are almost always purchased by improper compliances, or some measure of deception, and commonly may cover us with confusion" (Scott). IV. PROVIDENTIALLY EXTRICATED FROM HIS EMBARRASSMENT. He may not be able to extricate himself from the net in which he has become entangled. But God does not readily abandon him to all the natural consequences of his conduct. He has many ways of working out his deliverance, and effects it - 1. From regard to the good that is in him, and in pity toward him in his perplexity and distress. 2. For the honour of his name, that his merciful care over his servants may be seen, and his glory promoted by them. 3. Not without testifying his disapproval of his sin. "David returned the next morning to Ziklag no doubt very light of heart, and praising God for having so graciously rescued him out of the disastrous situation into which he had been brought" (Keil). "The snare is broken, and we are escaped" (Psalm 124:7). But on the third day he found Ziklag in ashes, was overwhelmed with grief, and more deeply humbled than ever before. The folly and guilt of the course which he had pursued were at length brought home to him with irresistible force. Remarks: - 1. There are associations with t. he ungodly which are not sinful, but right and beneficial to a good man himself, as well as to them. 2. No one should place himself in the way of temptation, and then expect that God will preserve him from falling or extricate him from the consequences of his presumption. 3. If any one finds that he has improperly associated himself with the wicked, he ought to adopt all proper methods to effect his speedy separation from them. 4. When he has found deliverance from his perplexity and peril he should give the glory of it to God alone. - D. Parallel Verses KJV: Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which is in Jezreel. WEB: Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites encamped by the spring which is in Jezreel.