Wednesday, October 7, 2015

I Samuel 29: Persona Non Grata

A "persona non grata" is one who is deemed unacceptable and not welcome.

In I Samuel 29, David has become a persona non grata among the Philistine army because the lords do not trust him to remain loyal to their side.  Though King Achish maintains complete confidence in David and would personally welcome him to join their ranks, he yields to the concerns of the lords who fear David serving as a part of the rear guard.

Achish asks David and his men to refrain from going into battle with the Philistines against the Israelites and for them to return to their home in Ziklag instead.  David indignantly protests, but ultimately obeys the king.

In this way, David avoids being put in the difficult position of either going to war against his own people or betraying the king who has protected him from Saul.

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