Original Word: אֲכִישׁ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Akiysh
Pronunciation: ah-KEESH
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-keesh')
KJV: Achish
NASB: Achish
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. Akish, a Philistine king

Achish

Of uncertain derivation; Akish, a Philistine king -- Achish.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
king of Gath
NASB Translation
Achish (21).

אָכִישׁ proper name, masculine king of Gath 1 Samuel 21:11; 1 Samuel 21:12; 1 Samuel 21:13; 1 Samuel 21:15 15t. 27-29 + 1 Kings 2:39,40 (perhaps compare anger).

Historical Setting

Achish ruled Gath, one of the five principal Philistine city-states on the southwest coastal plain of Canaan. The passages span two generations. The first Achish, son of Maoch, was contemporary with David during Saul’s reign (circa 1010–1000 BC). A later Achish, son of Maacah, appears early in Solomon’s reign (circa 970 BC, 1 Kings 2:39–40). The forty-year gap fits a dynastic succession, not a single unusually long life.

Achish and David’s Early Flight (1 Samuel 21:10–15)

David, newly a fugitive, sought refuge at Gath with only Goliath’s sword in hand. Achish’s courtiers immediately recognized the trophy and David’s fame: “Is this not David, the king of the land? … ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’ ” (1 Samuel 21:11). Realizing the danger, David feigned madness. Achish dismissed him with wry contempt: “Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence?” (21:15). The episode highlights Philistine vigilance and David’s ingenuity, while showing the LORD’s providential preservation of His anointed even in enemy territory.

Achish and David’s Prolonged Sojourn (1 Samuel 27)

Years later, David returned to Gath with six hundred men and their families. Achish, now politically astute and perhaps impressed by David’s earlier reputation, granted him Ziklag: “That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day it still belongs to the kings of Judah” (27:6). From Ziklag David raided Amalekite and allied tribes yet reported to Achish as though striking Judah’s southern clans (27:10–11). Achish concluded, “He has become detested by his people Israel, and he will be my servant forever” (27:12). Scripture’s understated irony underscores God turning Philistine confidence into a shield for David while he awaited the throne.

Achish and the Final Philistine Campaign against Saul (1 Samuel 28–29)

When Philistia mustered at Aphek, Achish slated David for a rear-guard position: “Therefore you shall be my bodyguard for life” (28:2). The other lords protested: “Send the man back … lest in the battle he become our adversary” (29:4). Achish defended David’s loyalty, testifying, “I have found no fault in him from the day he defected to me until now” (29:3, 9). Nevertheless, David was dismissed and providentially freed from fighting against Israel. Saul died the next day on Mount Gilboa. Thus David was kept from potential blood-guilt while the prophetic word concerning Saul’s downfall was fulfilled.

Political Portrait of the First Achish

1. Pragmatic: willing to harbor Israel’s most famous outlaw to weaken Saul.
2. Perceptive yet fallible: he read David’s military value but misread his ultimate allegiance.
3. Benevolent within limits: granting Ziklag secured David’s loyalty yet cost Philistia nothing immediately.
4. Diplomatic: he acquiesced to the other lords at Aphek, preserving coalition unity.

Second Achish and the Story of Shimei (1 Kings 2:39–40)

Decades later, two servants of Shimei fled “to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath.” Solomon had restricted Shimei to Jerusalem on pain of death; Shimei’s pursuit of his slaves violated that oath, leading to his execution. The brief notice reveals Gath still functioning as an asylum city for runaways and suggests a continuing tradition of hospitable kings named Achish, perhaps to honor the earlier monarch.

Theological and Ministry Significance

• Divine Sovereignty over Nations: The LORD used a Philistine king to protect, provision, and position His future king of Israel.
• Integrity and Disguise: David’s feigned insanity contrasts with his later transparent conduct under Achish. Believers must depend on God’s wisdom in differing circumstances.
• Separation and Witness: Though living among pagans, David maintained covenant identity, refusing to attack Israel and executing judgment on Israel’s enemies instead.
• Covenant Faithfulness versus Human Alliances: Achish trusted David’s word; David trusted God’s promise. The narrative warns against ultimate reliance on political alliances rather than the LORD.

Foreshadowings of Christ

David’s acceptance by Gentile Achish anticipates the Messiah’s future reception among the nations, while the Philistine lords’ suspicion prefigures religious leaders’ doubts during Jesus’ ministry. The deliverance of David from fighting against his own people parallels Christ’s refusal to fight His own on the way to the cross, choosing instead to secure their salvation.

Practical Lessons for Today

1. God can employ unexpected channels—even former adversaries—to advance His purposes in our lives.
2. Temporary refuge should not become permanent compromise; David’s heart remained with Israel.
3. Wise leaders weigh alliance, reputation, and risk, as Achish did; yet ultimate discernment comes from fearing God (Proverbs 9:10).
4. The believer’s word, exemplified by David before Achish, ought to be so reliable that even skeptics find no fault.

Key References

1 Samuel 21:11–15; 27:2–12; 28:1–2; 29:2–11

1 Kings 2:39–40

אָכִ֔ישׁ אָכִ֖ישׁ אָכִ֗ישׁ אָכִ֛ישׁ אָכִ֜ישׁ אָכִ֥ישׁ אָכִֽישׁ׃ אָכִישׁ֙ אָכִישׁ֮ אכיש אכיש׃ ’ā·ḵîš ’āḵîš aChishInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts