As we read and interpret the narrative of 1 Samuel 29, we must remember that it forms part of the larger accession narrative (1 Samuel 27—2 Samuel 1). As a climax of all that came before, these chapters detail the events that eventually led to David becoming king.¹. A particular focus in this final section of the book is both to compare David with Saul as well as to highlight that he did not have any hand in Saul’s death.² This is one of the reasons why the author has chosen to narrate events out of their chronological order. The events recorded in 1 Samuel 29 take place before Saul’s visit to the medium of Endor (1 Samuel 28). By telling the story in this way, the author is able to compare David with Saul³ It also allows him to heighten the tension and suspense of the story,⁴ seeing  that 1 Samuel 28:1—2 leaves us wondering what would happen to David. Will he be forced to do what he has always refused, namely to take up his sword against Saul?⁵

 At the beginning of 1 Samuel 29 David finds himself in a predicament. If he leaves Philistia to join the Israelite forces, he will once again be at the mercy of Saul. If he were to march with the Philistine armies, however, he may jeopardise his God-given obligation of becoming the next king of Israel. The northern tribes were committed to the idea of a Saulide dynasty (2 Samuel 3:31). Humanely speaking, they would have been very unlikely to submit to David’s kingship if he played any role in Saul’s defeat,⁶ even if he were to turn and fight against the Philistines.⁷ The LORD providentially engineers the course of David’s life so that he does not fight against Saul but returns to Ziklag.⁸ The LORD is with David everywhere he goes, even among the Philistines (cf. 1 Samuel 18:12, 28),⁹ where the Philistine commanders once again serve as David’s deliverers (cf. 1 Samuel 23:19—28).¹⁰