1 Samuel 28:2 kjv
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.
1 Samuel 28:2 nkjv
So David said to Achish, "Surely you know what your servant can do." And Achish said to David, "Therefore I will make you one of my chief guardians forever."
1 Samuel 28:2 niv
David said, "Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do." Achish replied, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life."
1 Samuel 28:2 esv
David said to Achish, "Very well, you shall know what your servant can do." And Achish said to David, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life."
1 Samuel 28:2 nlt
"Very well!" David agreed. "Now you will see for yourself what we can do." Then Achish told David, "I will make you my personal bodyguard for life."
1 Samuel 28 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 27:6 | Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day. So Ziklag has belonged to the kings… | Achish's initial trust in David. |
| 1 Sam 27:12 | And Achish trusted David, saying, "He has made himself utterly abhorrent…." | Achish's complete trust based on false premise. |
| 1 Sam 29:3 | Then the commanders of the Philistines said, "What are these Hebrews doing…." | Philistine lords distrust David. |
| 1 Sam 29:6 | Then Achish called David and said to him, "As the Lord lives, you have…." | Achish reaffirms his personal trust in David. |
| 1 Sam 29:9 | Achish replied to David, "I know that you are as blameless in my sight…." | Achish's high regard for David. |
| Gen 50:20 | As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good… | God's sovereignty over human intentions. |
| Psa 34:1 | A Maskil of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech [Achish]…. | David's prior encounters and reliance on God. |
| Psa 56:1 | To the choirmaster: according to The Dove on Far-off Terebinths. A Miktam… | David's prayers for deliverance from enemies. |
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he directs… | God's control over rulers' decisions. |
| Dan 2:21 | He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings… | God's sovereignty over political powers. |
| Dan 4:17 | …that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men… | Divine authority over earthly kingdoms. |
| Psa 76:10 | Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will… | God using human actions for His glory. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good… | God working through challenging circumstances. |
| Psa 33:10 | The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the… | God's ability to thwart human plans. |
| Num 23:23 | For there is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel… | God's protection of His chosen. |
| Jer 1:18 | For behold, I have made you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar… | God grants strength and protection. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God… | Divine reassurance in threatening situations. |
| 2 Sam 8:18 | Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites… | Benaiah as part of David's own later guard. |
| Gen 14:22 | But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD…." | Instances of vows and declarations. |
| Jos 9:15 | So Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them… | The binding nature of pledges, even deceptive. |
| Deut 28:13 | And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only… | God's intended elevation of His faithful. |
1 Samuel 28 verses
1 Samuel 28 2 Meaning
This verse describes a pivotal moment in David's exile in Philistine territory, specifically in Gath under King Achish. Achish, having been thoroughly convinced of David's loyalty, offers David a permanent and highly trusted position as his personal bodyguard. This offer signifies Achish's profound reliance on David and his perceived value, further cementing David's complex and perilous alliance with the Philistines.
1 Samuel 28 2 Context
First Samuel chapter 28 primarily focuses on Saul's desperate state and his forbidden consultation with the medium of Endor. However, verse 2 briefly shifts the narrative's focus back to David, who is concurrently living in exile in Philistine territory, a vassal of King Achish of Gath. This short verse highlights the precarious and ethically complex position David is in: outwardly serving a Philistine king who trusts him implicitly, while covertly acting in Israel's interests by raiding their common enemies. Achish's declaration occurs just prior to the great battle between Israel and the Philistines at Gilboa (1 Sam 29), placing David in a situation where he seems compelled to fight against his own people. The immediate historical context underscores the severe spiritual decline of Saul and Israel's vulnerability, contrasting sharply with David's complex navigation of divine providence.
1 Samuel 28 2 Word analysis
- And Achish: Denotes the king's active role. Achish (Hebrew: אָכִישׁ, ʾĀḵîš) is a Philistine ruler, who later appears in 1 Kings as a minor character providing refuge to Shimei's servants. His consistent trust in David is notable.
- said: Simple statement, but carries the weight of a royal decree.
- to David: Specifies the recipient of the direct command and offer, indicating a personal relationship built on Achish's misplaced trust.
- 'Behold': (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinnêh), an emphatic particle, drawing attention to the significance and certainty of the statement about to be made. It's an expression signaling importance, like "Indeed!" or "Pay attention!"
- 'I will make you': This phrase reflects Achish's royal authority and personal decision. He is asserting his will to grant David this specific high position. It indicates David's rapid rise in the Philistine court's favor.
- 'my bodyguard': (Hebrew: שֹׁמֵר רֹאשִׁי, shōmēr rōʾshî), literally "guardian of my head/person." This term signifies an extremely high level of trust, intimacy, and responsibility. A bodyguard is a personal attendant, protecting the king's very life. This role often implied constant proximity to the king and access to private information. Such a position for a foreign Israelite refugee within a Philistine court is extraordinary and highlights Achish's deep, albeit deceived, confidence in David.
- 'forever': (Hebrew: כָּל־הַיָּמִים, kol-hayyāmîm), literally "all the days." This phrase denotes permanence, lifelong commitment, and an unwavering future position. While potentially a hyperbole typical of royal decrees to emphasize sincerity and resolve, it conveys Achish's intention for David's service to be enduring and not temporary. This contrasts sharply with David's divine destiny as King of Israel.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And Achish said to David": Highlights the direct, personal nature of this offer from the Philistine king to the future king of Israel. It sets the scene of David's dangerous integration into the Philistine power structure.
- "'Behold, I will make you my bodyguard forever'": This entire declaration from Achish showcases his profound reliance and conviction in David's loyalty. It underscores the unique moral dilemma and providential guidance at play, as David navigates feigned loyalty while God protects him from direct conflict with his own people, ultimately preparing him for the kingship. The phrase serves as a powerful testament to the success of David's strategic deception in achieving this extraordinary trust, setting the stage for the dramatic events of the next chapter. It also stands as an implicit polemic: a pagan king relying on a worshipper of Yahweh, oblivious to his true allegiance or the true God's plan.
1 Samuel 28 2 Bonus section
The Hebrew phrase for "bodyguard" (שֹׁמֵר רֹאשִׁי, shōmēr rōʾshî) carries great weight, signifying someone so trusted that they guard the king's very "head," implying personal security and confidential matters. This position was akin to the royal guards found in various ancient Near Eastern courts. The idea of "forever" also highlights Achish's expectation of perpetual, unswerving loyalty, further demonstrating the depth of his misjudgment concerning David's ultimate allegiance. David's placement in such a role, combined with his future ascent to Israel's throne, stands as a remarkable testament to God's ability to turn adversarial situations into steps towards fulfilling His promises.
1 Samuel 28 2 Commentary
1 Samuel 28:2 is a brief but highly significant verse, unveiling the extent of David's paradoxical success in Philistine territory. King Achish, completely taken in by David's deceptive maneuvers (1 Sam 27:8-12), has granted David an unparalleled position of trust and intimacy—that of a personal bodyguard for life. This was not a temporary assignment but a deep integration into the very core of Philistine royal security.
From a human perspective, this situation put David in an ethically precarious position. He appeared loyal to the Philistine king, enjoying high status and resources, while simultaneously covertly attacking enemies of Israel. His challenge was to maintain his outward fidelity to Achish without compromising his true allegiance to God and his own people. Yet, God's divine providence is evident throughout. Achish's blind trust in David served as a protective shield, not only from other Philistine suspicions (who would later object, 1 Sam 29) but also in ultimately preventing David from directly fighting against Saul and Israel. God's orchestration ensured David's future as king of Israel was not tainted by shedding Israelite blood. This verse underscores the mysterious ways in which God guides His chosen ones, even through difficult, ambiguous circumstances, always working toward His ultimate purpose.