Achish

The First Book of Samuel
Chapter 27
(Parallel Chapter - 1 Chronicles, Chapter 12)

Achish King of Gath in the Bible Study
Achish Gives David Ziklag City

Ready for more great Daily Bread adventure? Me too! Even though Saul didn't catch David yet, David knew that Saul wouldn't give up trying to kill him. So David decided to escape to the land of the Philistines so Saul would stop chasing him ... Pretty good strategy, huh?

So, David and his 600 men went to Gath, where king Achish ruled. David brought his men, their families, and his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail (Nabal's widow). Word spread to Saul that David now resided in Gath, land of king Achish, so he stopped trying to hunt after him.

David went to king Achish and asked, "If it's okay with you, may I have a home in some town in the country to live in instead of staying in this royal city with you since I am only your servant? So, king Achish gave him the town of Ziklag. David moved there and stayed there for a year and four months. He was pretending loyalty to king Achish so he, his wives, and his men could safely hide from Saul.

Achish King of Gath in the Bible Story
King Achish Gives David Ziklag

During David's stay at Ziklag many others aside of his 600 men joined him. There were men from each and every tribe, even the tribe of Benjamin (Saul's blood) and some even crossed the Jordan in the spring season when it overflows it's banks to come to David and help him.

Don't forget now, Israel and the Philistines were enemies. While David was living in Philistine territory, he wasn't only busy hiding from Saul, but why not take care of some of the Philistines at the same time and secure the Kingdom of Israel a little bit more for when all this business with Saul was over and done with? After all, the Lord did anoint him to be the next King.

So, David and his men invaded the Geshurites, Gezrites, and the Amalekites. The nations David destroyed were a threat and danger to Israel, his home country. From ancient times, those nations had lived in that land from Shur to Egypt. David didn't leave one person alive and took their sheep, oxen, donkey, camels, and clothes and returned to see king Achish of Gath.

Achish King of Gath in the Bible Lesson
Achish Gives David Ziklag Event

Achish asked, "Where did you invade today?" Now, don't forget, Achish thinks that David is on the Philistines "side" now, since he's Saul's enemy, but nothing could be further from the Truth.

David responded, "Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites." The places he told Achish that he invaded were his own people (Israelites).

So, Achish thought David was invading and destroying his own people. That's why David had to kill utterly everyone there, so the truth wouldn't get back to Achish of where he was and what he was really doing.

David didn't leave one person alive to come back to Gath and tell that he was really invading Philistine cities. This happened the entire time David lived in Philistine territory.

Achish King of Gath in the Bible Summary
Achish Gives David Ziklag Continues

Achish believed David and said to himself, "He's really made his people in Israel hate him so much, that he'll be my servant forever."

Next time we share Daily Bread, we'll see what Saul is up to ... You won't believe it! Hurry Back!