1 Samuel 29:6
Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֨א
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 33
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
חַי
liveth
H2416
חַי
liveth
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
7 of 33
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָ֞ה
unto him Surely as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֞ה
unto him Surely as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 33
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 33
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָשָׁ֣ר
thou hast been upright
H3477
יָשָׁ֣ר
thou hast been upright
Strong's:
H3477
Word #:
10 of 33
straight (literally or figuratively)
ט֥וֹב
favour
H2896
ט֥וֹב
favour
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
12 of 33
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וּבְעֵינֵ֥י
in my sight
H5869
וּבְעֵינֵ֥י
in my sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
13 of 33
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
צֵֽאתְךָ֙
and thy going out
H3318
צֵֽאתְךָ֙
and thy going out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 33
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בֹּֽאֲךָ֥
and thy coming in
H935
בֹּֽאֲךָ֥
and thy coming in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
15 of 33
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אִתִּי֙
H854
אִתִּי֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
16 of 33
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
with me in the host
H4264
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה
with me in the host
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
17 of 33
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
כִּ֠י
H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 33
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 33
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מָצָ֤אתִֽי
for I have not found
H4672
מָצָ֤אתִֽי
for I have not found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
20 of 33
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
הַיּ֣וֹם
in thee since the day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
in thee since the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
23 of 33
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בֹּֽאֲךָ֥
and thy coming in
H935
בֹּֽאֲךָ֥
and thy coming in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
24 of 33
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
26 of 33
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֣וֹם
in thee since the day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
in thee since the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
27 of 33
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
וּבְעֵינֵ֥י
in my sight
H5869
וּבְעֵינֵ֥י
in my sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
29 of 33
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
31 of 33
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
2 Kings 19:27But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.2 Samuel 3:25Thou knowest Abner the son of Ner, that he came to deceive thee, and to know thy going out and thy coming in, and to know all that thou doest.Psalms 121:8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.1 Samuel 20:3And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
Historical Context
Achish's use of YHWH's name suggests familiarity with Israelite religion, perhaps from his relationship with David or broader cultural awareness. His personal favor toward David would prove advantageous when David later became king and maintained peace with Gath.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when allies' actions, though limiting, are actually protective?
- What relationships with those outside your faith community has God used for your benefit?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Achish's personal summons to David communicates the decision with remarkable diplomacy. His oath 'as the LORD liveth' (using YHWH, Israel's covenant name) may indicate genuine respect for David's faith or diplomatic courtesy. The assessment that David has been 'upright' (Hebrew: 'yashar') throughout his service is accurate as far as Achish knows. The phrase 'the lords favour thee not' (Hebrew: 'lo-tov attah be'eney seranim') places blame on others while expressing personal confidence. Achish genuinely believed David was loyal.