1 samuel 29:6 - Then Achish called David, and said to him, “As Yahweh lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight; for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords don’t favor you.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 29:6

What does "1 samuel 29:6" mean?


This verse from 1 Samuel 29:6 highlights a complex and precarious situation David finds himself in while serving King Achish of Gath. Let's break it down:

"Then Achish called David, and said to him..." - Achish, the Philistine king, is summoning David, indicating a matter of importance.

“As Yahweh lives, you have been upright..." - Achish swears by Yahweh (the Hebrew God), which is interesting in itself, suggesting he acknowledges Yahweh's power. He then declares David's integrity and honesty. Achish genuinely believes David has acted honorably and justly during his time serving him.

"...and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight..." - This refers to David's conduct as a soldier and leader within Achish's army. Achish is pleased with David's performance in military activities, both on and off the battlefield. It highlights David's competence and perhaps even his charisma or diplomatic skills that have made him a valuable asset.

"...for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day..." - Achish emphasizes that he has found no fault or wrongdoing in David's behavior or loyalty since he arrived in Gath. This further reinforces Achish's sincere belief in David's trustworthiness.

"Nevertheless, the lords don’t favor you." - This is the crucial problem. Despite Achish's personal confidence in David, the other Philistine lords (the other rulers and commanders of the Philistine army) do not trust David. This is likely due to David's past as a famous Israelite warrior, the slayer of Goliath. They remember that David has fought against the Philistines in the past, and they fear that he may turn on them in the midst of battle.

In essence, the verse means:

Achish trusts and admires David. He believes David has been loyal and honest. However, Achish's trust is not enough. The other Philistine leaders distrust David and view him as a potential enemy. This creates a political problem for Achish. He is in a position where his own judgment clashes with the fears and prejudices of his peers. This situation leads to David being sent away from the battle, ultimately saving him from having to fight against his own people (Israel).