David’s faith is God is very evident in this chapter as he continually refused to be tempted to join Achish and fight against the Israelites, 1 Corinthians 10:13 / Psalms 26:4-5. The use of the word ‘Hebrews’ here was used in an insulting way and although Achish was loyal to David and his men, the other Philistine leaders didn’t agree with his association with the Hebrews.
David’s reputation was so great not only among his own people but these other Philistine leaders appear to recognise David and even quote the song which the Israelites sung concerning David killing tens of thousands.
Because David had been with Achish for over a year, 1 Samuel 27:7, he seems to think that they could become friends with the Israelites but history shows that this would never happen.
Willis in his commentary gives us four reasons as to why the leaders of the Philistines rejected the intention of Achish to take David and his men into the battle against Israel.
1. The long enmity between the Philistines and the Hebrews had resulted in deep mistrust on both sides.
2. In the battle of Geba, 1 Samuel 14:21, the Hebrews who had deserted to the Philistines defected to their fellow-Israelites and aided Saul in destroying the Philistines.
3. If David and his men decided to go back to Saul, they would easily do so by slaughtering the Philistines, any great number of them, and taking their heads to Saul. An opportunity like that, the lords of the Philistines were determined not to put into the hands of David.
4. David had a reputation of having slain ‘tens of thousands’ of Philistines; and the lords of the Philistines were not about to forget it.
Even though Achish thought that David was reliable, he goes on to apologise to David and sends him home. Because David had dealt fairly with Achish, Achish returned the favour. And so, David accepted and followed his advice and returned home, knowing that he wouldn’t go to war against his fellow Israelites.
Achish tells David he has been as pleasing in his eyes as an angel of God, Zechariah 12:8, it must be noted that he didn’t use the name Yahweh, he uses the phrase ‘ha Elohim’, which is a general reference to ‘the gods’.
Achish then tell him, ‘get up early, along with your master’s servants’, the meaning of this is a little ambiguous, Cook in his commentary suggest that the way to understand it is found in 1 Chronicles 12:19-21, where it appears that a considerable number of Manassites fell to David just at this time, and went back with him to Ziklag.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."