1 Samuel 29:9 Meaning and Explanation
“And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Achish assures David that he regards him as good as an angel of God, but the commanders have decided he cannot go to battle.
What Does 1 Samuel 29:9 Mean?
Achish answers with the highest praise he can offer: in my sight you are good, like an angel of God. It is a remarkable compliment from a Philistine king, comparing David to a heavenly messenger. Yet the decision is out of his hands; the commanders have ruled that David shall not go up to the battle, and Achish must abide by their word.
The phrase 'an angel of God' unknowingly touches the truth, for the Lord was indeed sending David away as if by a messenger of deliverance. Achish meant only flattery, but God's hand stood behind the moment. Throughout Scripture the Lord guards the steps of His chosen, and here that guarding comes through the firm refusal of the Philistine lords, closing the road to the battle and opening the road home.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 29:9
What does 1 Samuel 29:9 mean?
Achish assures David that he regards him as good as an angel of God, but the commanders have decided he cannot go to battle.