SUMMARY
David returned to the Philistines, who hated Saul more than him, and waged war against Israel’s enemies, while allowing the Philistines to think that he fought against Israel and her allies.
ANALYSIS
David decided to return to Philistine territory (after his first sojourn in 1 Samuel 21:10-15). This time, he interacted with King Achish directly, asking for the town of Ziklag from which he and his men could operate. They fought against the Gershurites, Girzites, and Amalekites; but they lied and told King Achish of Gath that they fought against Judah, Jerameel, and the Kenites. In this way, David had a safe base in one of the strongest of the Philistine city-states, beyond the power of Saul to attack him. But David could still fight to protect Israel from [non-Philistine] threats.
