12. Achish believed. The duplicity of David was another serious blunder, unworthy of one who had been so highly exalted in spiritual privileges. The price of victory in the conflict with sin is unceasing vigilance and constant surrender to the will of God. But the goodness of God did not forsake David in his hour of discouragement. David possessed a fixedness of purpose and a sincere desire to cooperate fully with the program of God. This attitude led him to acknowledge his sins upon their disclosure and to set out immediately to rectify his errors.
David made his first mistake in leaving Judah. To the sin of deserting his fellow countrymen without divine permission he added the second sin of duplicity. Had David remained in Judah, God could have delivered him as He had previously done. When Israel went to Gilboa to withstand the Philistine attack ( 28:4), David might have been used of the Lord to bring about such a victory as to win the popular acclaim of the entire country. While Saul had made a serious mistake in seeking the life of David, David now made an almost fatal blunder in leaving his own land without definite counsel from God.
chapter 28
1 Achish putteth confidence in David. 3 Saul, having destroyed the witches, 4 and now in his fear forsaken of God, 7 seeketh to a witch. 9 The witch, encouraged by Saul, raiseth up Samuel. 15 Saul, hearing his ruin, fainteth. 21 The woman with his servants refresh him with meat.