# 1 Samuel Chapter 29
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## Summary
In this Chapter David is rejected by the Philistine Lords. The Philistine Lords whilst passing by in their hundreds and thousands observe David and his men standing alongside Achish ready to go into battle. The Lords state that Achich must send David home as they suspect he will betray them within the battle.

The Philistine Lords recognise that David is Hebrew and therefore will be unable to reconcile himself to God if he stands against the Lords chosen people. They suspect therefore that David will betray them in the battle. Achish does not believe this will happen but nevertheless sends David home.

## Meditatio
This passage introduces a significant moral dilemma for David he has been led by the Lord into the land of his enemies, where he has been blessed by King Achish who has been an unlikely benefactor. As such when Achish and the other Lords are going out to War David can hardly refuse. The issue here being that should he be made to fight he would be fighting his own people. Should he refuse he would be considered a coward or at best in some way slighting Achish who has been faithful to David.

Equally David has been permitted to remain faithful and serve Achish by the Lord for a time. What we see here then is providential and David recognising that it is the Lord who fights our battles for us. David has been provided with the means by which to avoid both loosing face and also being compelled to fight against the Lord. Remember a kingdom divided cannot stand. This then is how the Lord delivers David from his challenges. This is not David's doing, instead the Lord. As such David returns to the Land of the Philistines whilst the Philistines go to war.

We can at times be set on being the victors in the battles we face. We think that the natural gifts and abilities (let's call this common grace) will be sufficient. Yet there are battles we will face in life which are larger than us. These are battles which we surely cannot hope to win. Battles that may require us to compromise in some way. Yet if we like David remain steadfast we can rely on the Lord delivering us.

A fascinating but short passage, and an incredible character study in David's faith and trust in the Lord.