The Book of Samuel 28 presents bizarre twists and turns in David’s career. For now, we’ll focus on this chapter’s two lead verses: David in Achish’s army. As for the backdrop, it is typical enough. In northern Israel, Jews and Philistines prepare to battle. But then, however, the plot thickens. Achish enlists David to join the military campaign on the Philistine side against King Saul and the Hebrews. Calls of “conflict of interest” and “dual loyalty” scream off the page. Did Achish order David to kill his brethren?
”And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their hosts together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David: Know you assuredly, that you shall go out with me in the host, you and your men. And David said to Achish: Therefore you shall know what your servant will do. And Achish said to David: Therefore will I make you keeper of my head forever.”
That’s only the half of it, because David, apparently, agreed. What’s going on? What precisely did Achish request and for what mission did precisely David sign on? We turn to Abravanel to explain, as he crafts an interpretation of our verses. In a nutshell, we need to understand David’s ambiguous response, one that It led Achish to believe one thing, David another.
David, Abravanel learns, expresses joy at having earned Achish’s trust. “Therefore you shall know what your servant will do.” David is more than pleased that the Philistine king held his military prowess in such high regard and anticipated showing those skills to use against Israel. Here is where Abravanel takes a pause to show that it’s not what David intended.
For David’s part, he never contemplated fighting for Achish against the Hebrews. While Achish assumed that he would be dazzled by David’s might in taking down the Hebrews, David had very different thoughts. He promised Achish to position himself – he and David’s men – as a defense shield. To the point, he would only ward off Jewish attackers. But as for taking the offensive and lifting a sword against King Saul’s army, the notion never entered his mind.
Abravanel continues and says that, in fact, Achish didn’t desire David to fight in the Philistine vanguard. “And Achish said to David: Therefore will I make you keeper of my head forever.” Achish understood full well that in the melee of combat, in the din of war, troops scatter hither and thither. To the point, Achish didn’t want to place David at the front and risk separation from him and his protection. Specifically, because of his high regard for David, Achish commanded him to stay close by. And should Hebrews break through the lines and approach the king, he wanted his most trusted soldiers by his side.
In closing, Abravanel writes that even the Gentiles, Achish and the Philistines included, held David in great esteem. David’s pluck had earned broad respect, his military exploits wondrous. Thus, this chapter’s two lead verses attest to David’s fame and lore – testimony of the Maker’s ever watchful eye over His chosen, anointed one. Wise Solomon, David’s son, penned: “When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” An apt acclamation for David, Solomon says of his father.