1 Samuel 29:8
And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֶ֤ה
H4100
מֶ֤ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
עָשִׂ֙יתִי֙
But what have I done
H6213
עָשִׂ֙יתִי֙
But what have I done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וּמַה
H4100
וּמַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
מָּצָ֣אתָ
and what hast thou found
H4672
מָּצָ֣אתָ
and what hast thou found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
9 of 24
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
so long as
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
so long as
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 24
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
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָיִ֣יתִי
H1961
הָיִ֣יתִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
I have been with thee
H6440
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
I have been with thee
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 24
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֣וֹם
so long as
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
so long as
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 24
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
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָבוֹא֙
that I may not go
H935
אָבוֹא֙
that I may not go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
20 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Historical Context
David's protest maintained his cover and preserved his honor in Achish's eyes. Whether sincere or strategic (or both), it ensured his Philistine relationships remained intact for potential future need.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you navigate situations where your true feelings must remain hidden?
- What does David's response suggest about the complexity of operating in compromised positions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
David's protest, 'But what have I done?', maintains his deceptive persona while potentially revealing genuine frustration at the ambiguous resolution. His question could be honest indignation at unjust suspicion or strategic performance maintaining his cover with Achish. The ambiguous phrase 'the enemies of my lord the king' could refer to either Achish's enemies (Israel) or Saul's enemies (the Philistines), preserving David's double identity. This final act of diplomatic theater protects David's position regardless of battle outcomes.