King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 27:12 Mean?

1 Samuel 27:12 in the King James Version says “And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever. utterly: Heb. to stink”

1 Samuel 27:12 · KJV

Faith

Context

10

And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites. Whither: or, Did you not make a road, etc

11

And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.

12

And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever. utterly: Heb. to stink

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Achish's complete deception represents the success of David's strategy and its spiritual cost. The Philistine lord concludes that David 'hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him' (Hebrew: 'hivish hivish,' an emphatic double verb meaning thoroughly stink). His confidence that David 'shall be my servant for ever' reveals how completely the deception succeeded. Yet this moment of apparent triumph marks David's deepest spiritual compromise: a pagan king believes God's anointed has permanently betrayed his own people.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Achish's trust in David led him to appoint David as his bodyguard for the upcoming battle against Israel (chapter 28). This level of confidence indicates David's deception was complete and sustained over the entire period of his service.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has apparent success in deception troubled your conscience more than the struggle it avoided?
  2. What does it cost when others believe lies about your loyalties or character?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיַּֽאֲמֵ֥ן1 of 12

“believed”

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

אָכִ֖ישׁ2 of 12

“And Achish”

H397

akish, a philistine king

בְּדָוִ֣ד3 of 12

“David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לֵאמֹ֑ר4 of 12

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִבְאִישׁ֙5 of 12

“to abhor”

H887

to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally

הִבְאִישׁ֙6 of 12

“to abhor”

H887

to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally

בְּעַמּ֣וֹ7 of 12

“He hath made his people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל8 of 12

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְהָ֥יָה9 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִ֖י10 of 12
H0
לְעֶ֥בֶד11 of 12

“him therefore he shall be my servant”

H5650

a servant

עוֹלָֽם׃12 of 12

“for ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 27:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 27:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 34:301 Samuel 13:4

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