King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 28:1 Mean?

1 Samuel 28:1 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 28:1 · KJV

Context

1

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.

2

And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

3

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

Read 1 Samuel 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Philistine mobilization for war against Israel creates the crisis that will expose both David's compromised position and Saul's spiritual bankruptcy. Achish's command that David join the battle ('thou shalt go out with me to battle') forces the conflict David had avoided: fighting against his own people alongside pagan enemies. The Hebrew 'yatso' (go out) in military context means active combat participation, not merely accompanying the army. David faces the consequences of his Philistine alliance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Philistine confederation periodically united against Israel, pooling resources from their five major cities. This campaign, which would culminate at Mount Gilboa, represented a major offensive that would reshape the political landscape of the region.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have compromises you made for short-term safety created impossible situations later?
  2. How do you respond when conflicting loyalties finally demand a choice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַֽיְהִי֙1 of 22
H1961

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

בַּיָּמִ֣ים2 of 22

“And it came to pass in those days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הָהֵ֔ם3 of 22
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וַיִּקְבְּצ֨וּ4 of 22

“gathered”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

פְלִשְׁתִּ֤ים5 of 22

“that the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

אֶת6 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה7 of 22

“their armies”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

לַצָּבָ֔א8 of 22

“for warfare”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם9 of 22

“to fight”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל10 of 22

“with Israel”

H3478

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

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר11 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָכִישׁ֙12 of 22

“And Achish”

H397

akish, a philistine king

אֶל13 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דָּוִ֔ד14 of 22

“unto David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

תֵּדַ֗ע15 of 22

“Know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

תֵּדַ֗ע16 of 22

“Know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֤י17 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִתִּי֙18 of 22
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

תֵּצֵ֣א19 of 22

“that thou shalt go out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה20 of 22

“their armies”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

אַתָּ֖ה21 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וַֽאֲנָשֶֽׁיךָ׃22 of 22
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

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 28:1 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 28:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 29:1-31 Samuel 17:11 Samuel 7:71 Samuel 27:121 Samuel 13:5Judges 3:1-4

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 28 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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