Verse 1

And David said in his heart, I shall now a perish one day by the hand of Saul: [there is] nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

(a) David distrusts God's protection and therefore flees to the idolaters, who were enemies to God's people.

Verse 3

And David b dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, [even] David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.

(b) Thus God by his providence changes the enemies hearts, and makes them favour his in their need.

Verse 5

And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, c let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

(c) Let your officers appoint me a place.

Verse 8

And David and his men went up, and invaded the d Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those [nations were] of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

(d) These were the wicked Canaanites, whom God had appointed to be destroyed.

Verse 10

And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the e Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

(e) A family of the tribe of Judah, (1 Chronicles 2:9).