In response to this Philistine testimony regarding David and Pilate’s testimony regarding Jesus, I think our application from 1 Samuel 29 should likewise focus on the testimony of the world regarding us as Christians. What do the people who know us say about us? Our friends and family? Our co-workers and neighbours? Are we known as people who promote and encourage peace? Do we keep our oaths and vows? Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12). The testimony of the world is important—certainly not ultimate by any means, but definitely important. The LORD wants us to adorn the gospel with our lives. He wants his church to be holy (cf. Ephesians 5:25–27, 1 Peter 1:15–16).

We are not told about everything that David did while living among the pagans in Gath and Ziklag (cf. 1 Samuel 27). We know about his raids and his sharing of plunder, but there are no stories of his general conduct. Still, we can see the impact that his life had on Achish. In David, he saw a man of integrity and honour: the way he spoke with and treated his wives; the way he looked after his men; the jokes he told and laughed at; the way he conducted himself in meetings. Achish learned to respect the LORD when he looked at the life of David. He saw the difference that the Spirit of God makes in the life of the believer. He heard the truths of God’s Word in the songs that David sang (cf. Psalm 34), so much so that he recognised the LORD as a living God: As the LORD lives he said in verse 6.

 The testimony of the world concerning our words and our actions is important. We blaspheme the name of God when we behave in ways that are inconsistent with our confession: when we get drunk at the office party or the annual sports dinner; when we fail to control our eating and appetite; when we go back on our word; when we pay an unfair wage; when we take what doesn’t belong to us or misuse funds for our own ends … our day-to-day conduct matters. We follow a King who was blameless; a King who paid the penalty for our sins and failures; a King who showers us with blessings that we don’t deserve; a King who wants us to walk in his ways. Let us testify to his goodness in our daily living. Among the Gentiles, where we live and work, our aim is not to to please and honour men, but to adorn the gospel and showcase our loyalty to our King. Loyalty in ethics, loyalty in our choices, and loyalty in the general pattern of our lives.