1 Samuel 28:2

And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

And David {H1732} said {H559} to Achish {H397}, Surely {H3651} thou shalt know {H3045} what thy servant {H5650} can do {H6213}. And Achish {H397} said {H559} to David {H1732}, Therefore will I make {H7760} thee keeper {H8104} of mine head {H7218} for ever {H3117}.

David answered Akhish, "I see that you already know what your servant will do."Akhish said to David, "For that answer, I am making you my personal bodyguard for life."

David replied, โ€œThen you will come to know what your servant can do.โ€ โ€œVery well,โ€ said Achish. โ€œI will make you my bodyguard for life.โ€

And David said to Achish, Therefore thou shalt know what thy servant will do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of my head for ever.

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 28:2, we find David, who is currently seeking refuge in the Philistine city of Gath under King Achish, engaging in a critical exchange. This verse immediately precedes the famous account of Saul's visit to the medium of Endor and sets the stage for the climactic battle where Saul will die. David's words to Achish are a masterclass in strategic ambiguity, while Achish's response reveals his deep, though ultimately misplaced, trust in David.

Context

At this point in his life, David is a fugitive from King Saul, who relentlessly seeks to kill him (1 Samuel 27:1). Having fled to the Philistines, David has been deceiving Achish by leading him to believe that he is raiding Israelite towns, when in fact he is attacking enemies of Israel, like the Geshurites, Gezrites, and Amalekites. Achish, convinced of David's loyalty to him and disloyalty to Israel (1 Samuel 27:12), is now preparing for a major war against Israel. The Philistine kings are gathering their armies for battle, and Achish expects David and his men to fight alongside them.

Key Themes

  • Strategic Deception and Ambiguity: David's statement, "Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do," is deliberately vague. It implies readiness to fight without specifying whom he will fight against. David intends to demonstrate his capability, but ultimately not against his own people. This highlights David's cunning and reliance on God's guidance even in morally complex situations.
  • Misplaced Trust: Achish's immediate and enthusiastic response, "Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever," demonstrates his absolute confidence in David. He sees David as a loyal and capable warrior, worthy of the highest trust, effectively appointing him as his chief bodyguard or permanent military leader. This trust is based on David's clever deception rather than genuine loyalty to the Philistines.
  • Divine Providence: Despite the seemingly precarious and ethically challenging position David finds himself in, God's hand is evident. David is being preserved and positioned for his future role as king of Israel, even through these interactions with his enemies. God uses circumstances, even human strategies, to achieve His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "keeper of mine head" (Hebrew: ืฉืื•ึนืžึตืจ ืจึนืืฉึดืื™, shomer roshi) literally means "guardian of my head" or "protector of my life." It signifies a position of immense trust and responsibility, typically held by a close confidant or chief bodyguard who ensures the king's personal safety. Achish's offer underscores the high regard and reliance he has placed upon David.

Practical Application

This verse offers insights into navigating difficult situations where one's integrity might seem compromised. It reminds us that:

  • God works in complex ways: Even when circumstances are messy or require strategic maneuvering, God can use them for His greater plan. David's actions, while perhaps ethically ambiguous, are ultimately aimed at preserving himself and his people to fulfill God's calling.
  • Wisdom and discernment are crucial: David's wisdom in navigating this dangerous political landscape allowed him to survive and eventually ascend to the throne (2 Samuel 5:3). We are called to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16).
  • Ultimate loyalty: Despite his temporary alliance with Achish, David's ultimate loyalty remained with God and Israel. Our ultimate allegiance should always be to God, even when life presents challenging compromises.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 12:9

    [Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

  • 1 Samuel 27:10

    And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

  • 2 Samuel 16:16

    And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.

  • 2 Samuel 16:19

    And again, whom should I serve? [should I] not [serve] in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
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