And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

1 SAMUEL 28:1KJV
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1 Samuel 28:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 28:1 mean?

1 Samuel 28:1 describes a moment when the Philistines gather their armies to fight against Israel, and Achish, a Philistine ruler, tells David that he and his men must join him in this battle. This sets up a situation where David, though an Israelite, is expected to fight against his own people because he has been living among the Philistines.

The verse takes place while David is staying in Philistine territory, having fled from King Saul. Achish, who trusts David, informs him directly that he will be part of the Philistine forces. This creates tension for David, as he is caught between loyalty to his own nation and his current alliance with Achish, which will become important in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 28:1

  • "gathered" (קָבַץ, qavats): This word means to assemble or bring together, emphasizing the deliberate and organized nature of the Philistines’ military preparations.
  • "armies" (מַחֲנֶה, machaneh): This term refers to camps or military forces, highlighting that the Philistines are mobilizing their full strength for a significant conflict.
  • "battle" (מַחֲנֶה, machaneh): The same word for "armies" is also used for "battle" here, which can underline the close connection between the people and the act of fighting in this context.
  • "men" (אֲנָשִׁים, anashim): This word simply means "men," but here it points to David’s own group of followers, who are now expected to fight alongside him for the Philistines.

Why 1 Samuel 28:1 matters

  • This verse highlights the complicated position David is in, living as a refugee among Israel’s enemies and being drawn into their plans against his own people.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic tension for the next part of the story, where David’s loyalties and choices will be tested.
  • Understanding this context helps explain why Saul later seeks out the medium at Endor—he is desperate because the Philistines are gathering for a major attack, and David, his former ally, appears to be on the enemy’s side.

Where else these words appear

“Achish” Hebrew H397 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
  • 1 Samuel 27:5 And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?
  • 1 Samuel 29:2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.

“gathered” Hebrew H6908 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
  • Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.