1 Samuel 29-31 Commentary
The Rejection of David
1 Samuel 29
In this chapter, we see the Philistines preparing for battle against the Israelites. However, they became suspicious of David and his men, who were fighting on their side. The Philistine leaders questioned the wisdom of having David and his men fighting alongside them, fearing that they would turn against them in the heat of battle.
The Philistines' suspicion was rooted in their knowledge of David's past as a servant of King Saul, and they feared that David would switch sides if given the opportunity. As a result, the Philistine commanders asked their king, Achish, to send David and his men away.
Achish was reluctant to do so, as he had become fond of David and trusted him. However, he eventually gave in to the demands of his commanders and ordered David to leave. David and his men were forced to return to Ziklag, the city that Achish had given him.
The Raid on Ziklag
1 Samuel 30
While David and his men were away, the Amalekites took advantage of their absence and raided Ziklag. They burned the city to the ground and took David's two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, along with everyone else in the city, captive.
David and his men returned to find their city in ruins and their families gone. The men were devastated, and some even spoke of stoning David in their grief and anger.
However, David found strength in the Lord and encouraged himself in Him. He inquired of the Lord whether he should pursue the Amalekites, and God gave him the go-ahead.
David and his men set out in pursuit of the Amalekites, with 400 men accompanying him. They reached the Brook Besor, where 200 men were too exhausted to continue. David and the remaining 200 men pressed on, eventually catching up with the Amalekites.
In the ensuing battle, David and his men defeated the Amalekites, rescuing their families and recovering all their stolen goods. David even recovered all the spoils the Amalekites had taken from other cities.
The Death of Saul
1 Samuel 31
In this final chapter of 1 Samuel, we see the Philistines engaging in battle against the Israelites. King Saul, who had been rejecting God's guidance for years, was now facing the consequences of his disobedience.
As the Philistines approached, Saul's army was in disarray, and many of his soldiers fled in fear. The Philistines killed Saul's three sons, and Saul himself was wounded.
Fearing that he would fall into the hands of the uncircumcised Philistines, Saul asked his armor-bearer to kill him. However, the armor-bearer refused, and Saul eventually fell on his sword, taking his own life.
The Philistines then beheaded Saul's body and hung it on the wall of Beth Shan, a city in the region. When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard of this, they braved the Philistine garrison and recovered Saul's body, cremating it and burying the ashes under a tamarisk tree.
The death of Saul marked the end of an era, and David would soon be anointed king over all of Israel.
