ACHISH, King of Gath. David having resolved to withdraw to some distant place from Saul, who sought an opportunity to take away his life, retired to Gath, a City in the land of the Philistines, where Achish 1 Sam. xxi. 10.then reigned. The Officers the King whether this was not that David who was respected as the King of his own Country; whether this was not he of whom it had been said at a publick time of dancing, Saul hath killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands. David having heard these Discourses, began to apprehend his life to be in danger; he therefore counterfeited madness before the Philistines, scribbled on the doors of the Gate, and let his spittle fall down his Beard. Then Achish said unto his Servants, Lo, you see the Man is mad, wherefore then have ye brought him to me? Have we not Madmen enough without bringing him too hither? David therefore by this Stratagem got out of Gath, and escaped this danger, in the year of the World 2944, before Jesus Christ 1056, before the vulgar Æra 1060.
In the Year of the World 2947, before J.C. 1053, before the vulgar Æra 1057. 1 Sam. xxvii. 14, &c.Three or four years after, David having first in all probability acquainted Achish with his intentions, sent him an offer of his Services, and desired to be received either in the City or some other part of his Dominions. Achish, who knew the valour of David, and the subject of that Discontent which was between him and Saul received him willingly in Gath, with six hundred Men, their wives and children, which he had brought with him. Here they continued for some time; after which David said to Achish, If I have found Grace in thine eyes, give me a Place of retreat in some Town in the Country, for why should thy servant dwell in the royal City with thee. Achish therefore gave him the property of Ziklag, and there David settled. Now during his four months abode in Gath, he made frequent excursions with his People, and plundered the Neighbours round about, killing all the men he met with, lest any one should discover where it was that he made war. In the mean while he persuaded Achish that he ravaged the lands belonging to Judah, and from thence brought all the Spoil he took, part whereof he never failed to give him. Achish therefore confided absolutely in David, saying, He has done so much mischief to his own People, that he will never more think of returning to them, and so will be always engaged closely to my Service.
In the Year of the World 3949, before J.C. 1051, before the vulgar Æra 1055. 1 Sam. xxviii. 1, 2, &c.About two years after the Philistines took the Field, in order to encounter the Israelites; and David had orders from Achish to prepare to march, and imbark in this war with him; whereupon he replied to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy Servant can do: The other then said, that he would at all times trust him with the guard of his Person. The Philistines therefore being come to Aphek, a Town situated in the great plain or valley 1 Sam. xxix.of Jezreel, David and his People marched in the rear with Achish. Then said the Princes of the Philistines to Achish, What do these Hebrews here? To this he answer’d, Is not this David, which hath been with me these days or these years, and I have found no fault in him? But the Princes of the Philistines were wrath with him, and said unto him, Make this Fellow return, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the midst of the Combat he turn upon us, and endeavour to reconcile himself with Saul at the expence of our Blood. Then said Achish to David, Surely as the Lord liveth thou hast been upright, I approve thy whole Conduct; thou hast given me no reason for complaint, but thou art not acceptable to the Lords about me, return therefore that thou mayst not offend them. David answer’d, What have I done? and what hast thou found in thy Servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my Lord the King? Then said Achish, To me thou art as an Angel of God, but the Princes of the Philistines have determined that thou shalt not engage with them in the Battle. David returned therefore the next day to Ziklag, which, during his absence, had been plunder’d by the Amalekites. David continued but a very little while with this Prince after the Battle of Gilboa, wherein Saul and his Sons were slain. From Ziklag he came to Hebron, in the Tribe of Judah; from which 2 Sam. ii. 1, 2, &c.time there is no more mention of Achish in Scripture.