The Hebrew name ʼĂkîysh, represented by H397, identifies Achish, a Philistine H6430 king H4428. It appears 21 times across 20 unique verses, primarily in the narrative of David's H1732 life. According to its base definition, the name is of uncertain derivation.
In the biblical narrative, ʼĂkîysh is the king H4428 of Gath H1661 who interacts with David H1732 on multiple occasions. When David first fled H1272 from Saul H7586, he went to Achish 1 Samuel 21:10. However, the servants H5650 of Achish recognized David as the one celebrated in dances H4246 for slaying H5221 tens of thousands H7233, causing David to be sore H3966 afraid H3372 1 Samuel 21:11-12. David then feigned madness H7696, leading Achish to dismiss him 1 Samuel 21:14. Later, David returned with six H8337 hundred H3967 men H376 and dwelt H3427 with Achish, who is identified as the son H1121 of Maoch H4582 1 Samuel 27:2. Achish gave H5414 David the city H5892 of Ziklag H6860 1 Samuel 27:6. Achish believed H539 David's deceptive reports about raiding Judah H3063, thinking David had made Israel H3478 abhor H887 him (1 Samuel 27:10, 1 Samuel 27:12). Although Achish trusted David enough to ask him to join a battle H4421 against Israel 1 Samuel 28:1, the Philistine H6430 princes H8269 objected 1 Samuel 29:3. Achish defended David, stating he had found H4672 no fault H3972 in him and saw him as good H2896 as an angel H4397 of God H430, but still sent him away 1 Samuel 29:9. A king named Achish, son of Maachah H4601, also appears later, to whom the servants of Shimei H8096 ran away H1272 1 Kings 2:39.
Several related words provide context for the identity and narrative of Achish:
- H1732 Dâvid (David): The central figure who seeks refuge with Achish while fleeing Saul H7586. Their complex relationship of trust and deception forms the core of the story 1 Samuel 27:2.
- H1661 Gath (Gath): The Philistine H6430 city H5892 where Achish ruled as king H4428. It served as a place H4725 of temporary safety for David 1 Samuel 27:3.
- H6430 Pᵉlishtîy (Philistine): The national identity of Achish and his people H5971. The conflict between the Philistines and Israel H3478 is the backdrop for the entire narrative 1 Samuel 29:9.
- H4428 melek (king): The title defining Achish's authority, which allowed him to grant David protection and the city of Ziklag H6860 1 Samuel 27:6.
The story of ʼĂkîysh highlights several key themes:
- A Foreign Refuge: In a time of distress, David H1732 finds shelter not among his own people H5971 but with a Philistine H6430 king H4428, an enemy H341 of Israel H3478 1 Samuel 27:2.
- Trust and Deception: The narrative features a stark contrast between David's deception and the profound trust H539 Achish placed in him. Achish believed H539 David utterly H887 and saw him as upright H3477 (1 Samuel 27:12, 1 Samuel 29:6).
- Providential Protection: David is caught in a conflict of loyalty when asked to fight H3898 against Israel 1 Samuel 28:1. The distrust of the Philistine H6430 lords H5633 forces Achish to send David away, providentially sparing David from fighting his own countrymen 1 Samuel 29:9.
In summary, H397 ʼĂkîysh is a significant figure in the life of David H1732. As a Philistine H6430 king H4428, he acts as an unlikely protector, offering David refuge in the city H5892 of Gath H1661. The interactions between them demonstrate God's providence in unexpected circumstances, using even an enemy H341 ruler to provide for and protect His anointed one. The narrative reveals the complexities of loyalty, deception, and the remarkable trust Achish shows toward David.
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