1 Samuel 29:9
And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַן
answered
H6030
וַיַּ֣עַן
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
יָדַ֕עְתִּי
I know
H3045
יָדַ֕עְתִּי
I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
6 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֥וֹב
that thou art good
H2896
ט֥וֹב
that thou art good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
8 of 20
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
בְּעֵינַ֖י
in my sight
H5869
בְּעֵינַ֖י
in my sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
10 of 20
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כְּמַלְאַ֣ךְ
as an angel
H4397
כְּמַלְאַ֣ךְ
as an angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
11 of 20
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אַ֣ךְ
H389
שָׂרֵ֤י
notwithstanding the princes
H8269
שָׂרֵ֤י
notwithstanding the princes
Strong's:
H8269
Word #:
14 of 20
a head person (of any rank or class)
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
of the Philistines
H6430
פְלִשְׁתִּים֙
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
15 of 20
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲלֶ֥ה
He shall not go up
H5927
יַעֲלֶ֥ה
He shall not go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
18 of 20
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
2 Samuel 14:17Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.2 Samuel 14:20To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.2 Samuel 19:27And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.Galatians 4:14And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.1 Samuel 29:4And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
Historical Context
The phrase 'angel of God' in ancient Near Eastern context could mean divine messenger or simply someone exceptionally good. Achish's use of it expresses highest confidence in David's character and loyalty.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you feel when others' high estimation of you is based on incomplete information?
- What does it mean that God's purposes can work through compromised human actions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Achish's comparison of David to 'an angel of God' (Hebrew: 'kemal'ak elohim') ironically uses divine vocabulary to describe someone whose primary activity has been deception. The Philistine king's complete confidence in David's goodness reveals how thoroughly the deception succeeded. Yet the phrase also carries theological weight: David has indeed functioned as a divine messenger, carrying out Israel's mandate against Amalekites and other enemies while appearing to serve Philistia. God's providence works through even compromised circumstances.