1 Samuel 28 1

1 Samuel 28:1 kjv

And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

1 Samuel 28:1 nkjv

Now it happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies together for war, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, "You assuredly know that you will go out with me to battle, you and your men."

1 Samuel 28:1 niv

In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, "You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army."

1 Samuel 28:1 esv

In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, "Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army."

1 Samuel 28:1 nlt

About that time the Philistines mustered their armies for another war with Israel. King Achish told David, "You and your men will be expected to join me in battle."

1 Samuel 28 verses

1 Samuel 28 1 Meaning

1 Samuel 28:1 describes the initiation of a significant Philistine military campaign against Israel. It details the mustering of Philistine forces for an offensive and records the direct command from Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, to David, instructing him and his men to join the Philistine army in this impending battle against Israel. This verse immediately places David in an acute moral and existential dilemma, setting the stage for one of the most tense moments in his pre-kingship life.

1 Samuel 28 1 Context

Chapter 28 of 1 Samuel opens by setting the geopolitical stage for a climactic conflict. This follows a period where David, fleeing King Saul's persistent attempts on his life, has sought refuge among the Philistines, serving Achish, king of Gath, for over a year. David has, by strategic deception, led Achish to believe he is raiding Judahite towns, thereby earning the Philistine king's trust and gaining Ziklag as a base.

This verse specifically precedes the famous episode of Saul's consultation with the medium of En-dor. While this verse focuses on David, the subsequent verses quickly shift attention to Saul's desperation due to the impending Philistine attack, his abandonment by the Lord, and his fateful decision to consult the spirit of Samuel. Thus, chapter 28 presents two parallel, highly tense narratives: David's moral conundrum and Saul's spiritual despair, both set against the backdrop of an existential threat from the Philistines. The military preparations by the Philistines are not merely incidental but the direct cause of the escalating crises for both protagonists. Historically, the Philistines were formidable adversaries of Israel throughout much of the period of the judges and early monarchy, vying for control of the land.

1 Samuel 28 1 Word analysis

• Now in those days: (Hebrew: וַיְהִי בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם - vayhī bayyāmīm hāhēm) A common transitional phrase in Hebrew narrative, connecting the current events to the preceding period (David's refuge in Philistia) and establishing a temporal setting for the significant events that follow. It emphasizes that this development occurs naturally within the unfolding timeline.
• the Philistines: (Hebrew: פְּלִשְׁתִּים - Pəlištîm) A long-standing, powerful, and recurring enemy of Israel, particularly throughout the time of the Judges and early monarchy. They originated from the Aegean region and settled on the southwestern coast of Canaan. Their presence signifies constant military threat and spiritual challenge for Israel, often used by God as a means of discipline or testing.
• gathered their armies for war: (Hebrew: וַיִּקְבְּצוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶת־מַחֲנֵיהֶם לַצָּבָא - vayyiqbĕtsû pĕlištîm et-maḥanêhem latsāvāʾ) Indicates a decisive, deliberate, and unified military mobilization, not just skirmishes. The Hebrew for "armies" (maḥanêhem, their camps/armies) and "war" (tsāvāʾ, military service/host/war) highlights a significant, organized effort.
• to fight against Israel: (Hebrew: לְהִלָּחֵם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל - ləhillaḥēm bĕyiśrāʾēl) This states the explicit hostile intent. The target is Israel, establishing the national and spiritual implications of the impending conflict. This detail amplifies David's dilemma, as he is being commanded to fight against his own people and God's chosen nation.
• And Achish: (Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר אָכִישׁ - vayyōʾmer ʾākhîš) The Philistine king of Gath, David's overlord and protector at this time. His relationship with David is based on a mistaken belief in David's disloyalty to Israel.
• said to David: A direct address, signifying authority and expectation.
• “Understand clearly…”: (Hebrew: יָדֹעַ תֵּדַע - yādoʿa tēdaʿ) This phrase employs the infinitive absolute yadoʿa followed by the finite verb tēdaʿ (you shall know). This Hebrew grammatical construction provides strong emphasis, conveying certainty, urgency, and an unequivocal command. Achish is leaving no room for misunderstanding or negotiation; David is unequivocally expected to participate.
• “you and your men are to go out with me to battle.”: A direct, unequivocal command for David's full participation. It underscores Achish's complete trust in David's loyalty and his expectation that David's renowned military prowess will contribute to the Philistine victory over Israel. This phrase places David in an impossible position: betraying his people and God's covenant, or defying his current protector.

1 Samuel 28 1 Bonus section

The seemingly innocent command in 1 Samuel 28:1 to David becomes a theological test case for the outworking of God's sovereign will amidst human decisions. It serves as a dramatic hinge point, leading not only to Saul's demise but also to David's deliverance from an impossible loyalty conflict, thus preserving his anointing and future kingship over all Israel. This detail emphasizes that God does not abandon His chosen one, even when circumstances seem to paint them into a corner of spiritual and ethical compromise. The divine intervention (through the other Philistine lords' distrust of David in chapter 29) to remove David from the battlefield, though not mentioned in this single verse, is a direct result of the situation established here, highlighting a broader theme of God's watchful care over His covenant.

1 Samuel 28 1 Commentary

1 Samuel 28:1 is deceptively simple yet laden with profound theological and dramatic tension. It is a pivotal point that highlights God's providence operating through human machinations and predicaments. On the surface, it describes a conventional military movement. However, for David, this command from Achish represents a deeply challenging moral crossroads. His temporary alliance with Achish, initially a refuge from Saul, now compels him toward a conflict that would violate his allegiance to God and Israel. This moment underscores David's intricate walk of faith and strategic wisdom; he is forced into a corner where there appears to be no humanly conceivable way out without either treachery or self-destruction.

The verse also implicitly sets the stage for the narrative contrast between David and Saul. While Saul, deserted by God, desperately seeks forbidden counsel (v. 6-7), David finds himself in an ethical quandary where only God's unseen hand can deliver him from fighting his own people. The ensuing narrative will reveal how God sovereignly orchestrates events through the suspicions of other Philistine commanders, allowing David to escape this dreadful moral predicament without compromising his integrity or disobeying a direct command. It reminds believers that even when placed in situations of extreme ethical complexity or apparent no-win scenarios, God remains faithful to His plans and people. This verse beautifully sets up the display of God's unseen power to deliver His chosen in extraordinary ways, fulfilling His purpose regardless of human entanglement.