‏ 1 Samuel 27

* David retires to Gath. (1-7) David deceives Achish. (8-12)

1-7 Unbelief is a sin that easily besets even good men, when

without are fightings, and within are fears; and it is a hard

matter to get over them. Lord, increase our faith! We may blush

to think that the word of a Philistine should go further than

the word of an Israelite, and that the city of Gath should be a

place of refuge for a good man, when the cities of Israel refuse

him a safe abode. David gained a comfortable settlement, not

only at a distance from Gath, but bordering upon Israel, where

he might keep up a correspondence with his own countrymen. 8-12 While David was in the land of the Philistines, he

attacked some remains of the devoted nations. The people whom he

cut off were long before doomed to destruction. It is often

wisdom to shun public notice, but we must in no situation be

idle. We must always try to do somewhat in the cause of God.

This expedition David hid from Achish. But an equivocation which

serves the purpose of a lie, is as like to it as a hypocrite is

to a profane person, it is only better in appearance, therefore

more dangerous. Yet, though believers often manifest

imperfections, they can never be prevailed upon to renounce the

service of God, and to unite interests with his enemies, or

finally to become the servants of sin and Satan. But what a

train of evils follow from unbelief! When we forget the Lord's

past mercies, and his gracious assurances, we shall be

overwhelmed with desponding fears, and probably be led to adopt

some dishonourable method to get rid of our troubles. Nothing

can so effectually establish us in holy tempers and practices,

and preserve us from perplexities, as firm, unshaken dependence

upon the promises of God in Christ Jesus.