10. Thy master’s servants. Literally, “the servants of thy lord.” The word ’adon, translated “master” here and in 4, “lord” in 8, is the common Hebrew word for addressing a superior. It should not be confused with the word seren applied to the Philistine lords ( 2, 6, 7), the rulers over the five cities ( 6:17; see on Judges 3:3). Another word, Å›ar, generally translated “prince,” is used synonymously with seren in 1 Sam. 29:3, 4, 9, in speaking of the same rulers. In 1 Sam. 29:4, 10, ’adon seems to apply to Saul, and in 1 Sam. 29:8 David uses it when speaking to Achish. The use of these terms may suggest that Achish did not consider David his vassal any longer, but delicately intimated that David was at liberty to leave Philistia if he so desired.
As soon as ye be up. This was probably a diplomatic way of telling David that if the morning light should find him and his men still in the camp, the princes would put them to death. No doubt David felt greatly relieved at such an official release. Now there could be no feeling that he and his company had failed to appreciate the kindness of Achish in granting them an asylum from Saul. As David started home, he no doubt praised God for such divine protection and miraculous deliverance.
The narrative of this chapter illustrates the manner in which God works for the salvation of His children. He seeks to persuade men to accept His ways, yet leaves them free to reject His suggestions if they wish. This is true, not only in the primary decision to serve God, but in all the major and minor choices that one who is seeking to live in harmony with the principles of God is called upon to make. It is inevitable that mistakes will be made, and the trials that result become proving grounds that reveal the error in judgment. David chose refuge in Philistia on the basis of self-protection from Saul. Suiting his actions to his feelings, he soon found the seeds of self-interest had produced a harvest of pretense and falsehood. But David acknowledged his error and at heart sought to follow the divine blueprint. This attitude enabled God to shape circumstances that brought deliverance to him, even though the difficulty in which David found himself was the result of his own mistake.
