1 Samuel 28:1 - Printer Friendly

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."

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."

NASB: Now it came about in those days that the Philistines gathered their armed camps for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, 'Know for certain that you will go out with me in the camp, you and your men.'

CSB: At that time, the Philistines gathered their military units into one army to fight against Israel. So Achish said to David, "You know, of course, that you and your men must march out in the army with me."

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.'

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.

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.”

The Israelites and the Philistines have been locked in unresolved conflict for a long season. When Saul came to power, he led several decisive battles under the Lord's deliverance. The Israelites no longer lived as slaves to the Philistines, but the Philistine threat was still an everyday reality. Despite his victories over all of Israel's other enemies in the region, Saul could never fully defeat the powerful Philistine forces (1 Samuel 15:47–52).

Among the Philistines are the army of King Achish of Gath. David and his band of 600 men have been living under Achish's protection from King Saul. Achish has come to trust David completely, believing falsely that David has been leading his men in raids against Israelite settlements. In truth, David has been striking Israel's enemies (1 Samuel 27:8–12). Achish is certain that David is beyond redemption among the people of Israel and has now become his own forever servant.

Achish still seems to understand that going to war against Israel will be the true test of David's loyalty. Will the former champion of Israel, the killer of Goliath of Gath (1 Samuel 17), really line up under the banner of the Philistines to go into battle against his own people?

David will agree to fight alongside the Philistines (1 Samuel 28:2). His answer is vague, probably meaning he looks for a loophole to avoid fighting his own people. But when he and his men march in with Achish, the other Philistine armies resist. They remember what David has done and demand that Achish send David's group back home (1 Samuel 29).

First Samuel 28:1–2 sees David called on to battle against Saul. David's men and their families have been safe under the protection of the Philistine king Achish (1 Samuel 27). Now, Achish wants David's men to fight Israel with the Philistines. Since David has been telling Achish they've been raiding Israelite towns, he is forced to accept. Fortunately, the other kings will refuse to fight with the man who has killed so many of them, and David will be sent away. When they reach home, they'll find the Amalekites have burned their city and taken their families (1 Samuel 29—30).

Israelites and the Philistines prepare for war. The Philistine king Achish demands that David fight with him against Israel. Terrified at the amassed Philistine army and unable to reach the Lord for help, Saul finds a medium to contact Samuel's spirit. Samuel repeats that the Lord has taken the kingdom from Saul and adds that Saul and his sons will fall, along with Israel, the next day. The medium serves Saul and his men a large meal, and the men leave under the cover of darkness. David is saved from having to fight his own people, but Saul and his sons do die. David will soon be king (1 Samuel 29; 31).

David and his men have escaped Saul (1 Samuel 27) and begun been fighting Israel's enemies under the protection of the Philistine king Achish (1 Samuel 28). Now, Achish wants David to fight Israel with him. Saul sees the Philistine army and is terrified. He finds a medium to call up Samuel's spirit. Samuel tells Saul that he, his sons, and Israel will fall. Fortunately, the other Philistine kings refuse to fight with David, and Achish sends him home. But Saul's sons are killed. Mortally wounded, Saul will take his own life (1 Samuel 29; 31).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.