Achish answered, "I know that you have been as pleasing in my eyes as an angel of God; nevertheless, the Philistine commanders have said, 'He must not go up with us into battle.' – 1 Samuel 29:9

Today's Scripture Reading (June 15, 2025): 1 Samuel 29

We know Rene Descartes as a philosopher, among many other things, but what I think we often forget is that his career began as a mercenary. Descartes' original desire was to become a military officer, and in following that plan, he enlisted as a soldier for hire with the Protestant Dutch States Army in Breda, Netherlands. There, he began to study military engineering. A year later, while with the Catholic League, Descartes was present at the Battle of the White Mountain (1620) near Prague, which is now part of the Czech Republic. The Battle of the White Mountain was a pivotal event in the early stages of the Thirty Years' War.

While Descartes at the Battle of White Mountain, he fought against the side on which France would enter the war fifteen years later, although there is no evidence that he ever took up arms against his native land; the timing was wrong. Whether Descartes would have fought against France might have been an interesting question to ask.

David has moved into Philistine territory to escape Saul. There, David and his followers had agreed to fight as mercenaries with the Philistine army against their enemies. One of those enemies was Israel.

As Achish and his associates prepare for an inevitable battle against Israel, I am not convinced this wasn't the moment that David had dreaded. Some scholars argue that David was willing, and perhaps even eager, to take up a sword against Saul and his army, but this seems to contradict everything we know about David. At that moment, David had to appear as though he wanted to fight, but I think he also knew he couldn't take up arms and fight against Saul and Israel.

Whatever might have been the reality about David's mental condition, God was still in control. While Achish was convinced that David could be trusted to fight against his native land, believing him to be an angel (malak) sent by the Philistine gods (elohim), the other Philistine commanders, under the direction of God, were not convinced. They did not want to fight against Israel with David in their midst.

David was given the way out that he needed. He was sent away from the fight. Achish hoped that David wouldn't be offended, But God knew that he had to keep David available for a fight that had not yet begun. David's future was in Israel, not Philistia. Even if, right now, he fought in support of these enemies of Israel.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 30