1 Samuel 27:12
And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽאֲמֵ֥ן
believed
H539
וַיַּֽאֲמֵ֥ן
believed
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
הִבְאִישׁ֙
to abhor
H887
הִבְאִישׁ֙
to abhor
Strong's:
H887
Word #:
5 of 12
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
הִבְאִישׁ֙
to abhor
H887
הִבְאִישׁ֙
to abhor
Strong's:
H887
Word #:
6 of 12
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
בְּעַמּ֣וֹ
He hath made his people
H5971
בְּעַמּ֣וֹ
He hath made his people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
H3478
בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְהָ֥יָה
H1961
וְהָ֥יָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
Achish's trust in David led him to appoint David as his bodyguard for the upcoming battle against Israel (chapter 28). This level of confidence indicates David's deception was complete and sustained over the entire period of his service.
Questions for Reflection
- When has apparent success in deception troubled your conscience more than the struggle it avoided?
- What does it cost when others believe lies about your loyalties or character?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Achish's complete deception represents the success of David's strategy and its spiritual cost. The Philistine lord concludes that David 'hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him' (Hebrew: 'hivish hivish,' an emphatic double verb meaning thoroughly stink). His confidence that David 'shall be my servant for ever' reveals how completely the deception succeeded. Yet this moment of apparent triumph marks David's deepest spiritual compromise: a pagan king believes God's anointed has permanently betrayed his own people.