1 Samuel 28:1
ESV
In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, "Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army."
NIV
In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, "You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army."
NASB
Now it came about in those days that the Philistines gathered their armed camps for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, 'Know for certain that you will go out with me in the camp, you and your men.'
CSB
At that time, the Philistines gathered their military units into one army to fight against Israel. So Achish said to David, "You know, of course, that you and your men must march out in the army with me."
NLT
About that time the Philistines mustered their armies for another war with Israel. King Achish told David, 'You and your men will be expected to join me in battle.'
KJV
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.
NKJV
Now it happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies together for war, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, “You assuredly know that you will go out with me to battle, you and your men.”
What does 1 Samuel 28:1 mean?
The Israelites and the Philistines have been locked in unresolved conflict for a long season. When Saul came to power, he led several decisive battles under the Lord's deliverance. The Israelites no longer lived as slaves to the Philistines, but the Philistine threat was still an everyday reality. Despite his victories over all of Israel's other enemies in the region, Saul could never fully defeat the powerful Philistine forces (1 Samuel 15:47–52).Among the Philistines are the army of King Achish of Gath. David and his band of 600 men have been living under Achish's protection from King Saul. Achish has come to trust David completely, believing falsely that David has been leading his men in raids against Israelite settlements. In truth, David has been striking Israel's enemies (1 Samuel 27:8–12). Achish is certain that David is beyond redemption among the people of Israel and has now become his own forever servant.
Achish still seems to understand that going to war against Israel will be the true test of David's loyalty. Will the former champion of Israel, the killer of Goliath of Gath (1 Samuel 17), really line up under the banner of the Philistines to go into battle against his own people?
David will agree to fight alongside the Philistines (1 Samuel 28:2). His answer is vague, probably meaning he looks for a loophole to avoid fighting his own people. But when he and his men march in with Achish, the other Philistine armies resist. They remember what David has done and demand that Achish send David's group back home (1 Samuel 29).
