Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

1 Samuel 27

David was a man after God’s own heart, and yet he had his faults, which are recorded, not for our imitation, but for our admonition; witness the story of this chapter, in which, though, I. We find, to his praise, that he prudently took care of his own safety and his family’s (1 Samuel 27:2-27:4) and valiantly fought Israel’s battles against the Canaanites (1 Samuel 27:8-27:9), yet, II. We find, to his dishonour, 1. That he began to despair of his deliverance, 1 Samuel 27:1. 2. That he deserted his own country, and went to dwell in the land of the Philistines, 1 Samuel 27:1, 27:5-27:7. 3. That he imposed upon Achish with an equivocation, if not a lie, concerning his expedition, 1 Samuel 27:10-27:12. MHBCC 264.1