Lexical Definition
אֲכִישׁ ʼĂkîysh (aw-keesh') Achish N:N-M-P
of uncertain derivation
Achish.
- § Achish = "I will blacken (or terrify)" or "only a man"
- Akish, a Philistine king
1) Philistine king of Gath
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| אָכִישׁ֮ | Achish | 1Sam.29.9 |
| אָכִישׁ֙ | Achish | 1Sam.21.11 • 1Sam.28.1 • 1Sam.28.2 |
| אָכִֽישׁ | Achish | 1Sam.27.9 • 1Sam.29.2 |
| אָכִ֥ישׁ | Achish | 1Sam.21.12 • 1Sam.27.2 • 1Sam.27.3 • 1Kgs.2.39 |
| אָכִ֜ישׁ | Achish | 1Sam.29.3 • 1Sam.29.6 |
| אָכִ֛ישׁ | Achish | 1Sam.27.6 |
| אָכִ֗ישׁ | Achish | 1Sam.27.5 • 1Sam.29.8 |
| אָכִ֖ישׁ | Achish | 1Sam.21.10 • 1Sam.21.14 • 1Sam.27.12 |
| אָכִ֔ישׁ | Achish | 1Sam.27.10 • 1Sam.28.2 • 1Kgs.2.40 |
| Αχίσ | Achish | LXX.1Kgs.2.39 • LXX.1Kgs.2.40 |
| Ακχίσ | Achish | LXX.1Sam.21.10 • LXX.1Sam.27.2 • LXX.1Sam.27.3 • LXX.1Sam.27.5 • LXX.1Sam.27.6 • LXX.1Sam.27.9 • LXX.1Sam.27.10 • LXX.1Sam.27.12 • LXX.1Sam.28.2 • LXX.1Sam.29.2 • LXX.1Sam.29.8 |
| Achish answered | LXX.1Sam.29.9 | |
| Achish called | LXX.1Sam.29.6 | |
| Achish said | LXX.1Sam.21.14 • LXX.1Sam.27.10 • LXX.1Sam.28.1 • LXX.1Sam.28.2 • LXX.1Sam.29.3 | |
| of Achish | LXX.1Sam.21.11 • LXX.1Sam.21.12 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.21.10
- son of: Maoch (מָעוֹךְ); also called Abimelech (NIV: Abimelek) at Psa.34.1
- Also named: a.vi.me.lekh (אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ "Abimelech" אֲבִימֶלֶךְ)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
אָכִישׁ proper name, masculine king of Gath 1Sam 21:11*; 1Sam 21:12*; 1Sam 21:13*; 1Sam 21:15* + 15 t. 27-29 + 1Kgs 2:39; 1Kgs 2:40 (perhaps compare 
anger).
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Samuel | 21:11* · 21:12* · 21:13* · 21:15* |
| 1 Kings | 2:39 · 2:40 |
Profile
Male • Philistine king • Philistine king of Gath, gave refuge to David
King living at the time of United Monarchy
Achish, also referred to as Abimelech, was the Philistine king of Gath who granted refuge to David when he fled from King Saul, but later dismissed him due to the suspicion of his servants.
- A king in Philistia living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.21.10;
- referred to as Achish אֲכִישׁ, or Abimelech (NIV= Abimelek) אֲבִימֶלֶךְ;
- a son of Maoch מָעוֹךְ.
Achish, also known as Abimelech, was the Philistine king of Gath during the time of King Saul and King David. When David fled from Saul, he sought refuge in Gath, pretending to be insane to avoid being perceived as a threat (1 Samuel 21:10-15). Achish's servants recognized David as the celebrated Israelite warrior, but David's act of insanity convinced Achish to dismiss him (1 Samuel 21:11-15).
Later, when David was again fleeing from Saul, he returned to Achish in Gath, this time with a group of 600 men (1 Samuel 27:1-4). Achish granted David and his men the town of Ziklag as a base (1 Samuel 27:5-6). David and his men raided the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, but deceived Achish into believing that they were raiding the Israelites and their allies (1 Samuel 27:8-12).
When the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel, Achish brought David and his men with him (1 Samuel 28:1-2). However, the Philistine commanders objected to David's presence, fearing that he might turn against them in battle (1 Samuel 29:1-5). Achish, trusting in David's loyalty, defended him, but ultimately sent him back to Ziklag (1 Samuel 29:6-11).
After David became king, some of his servants fled to Achish in Gath (1 Kings 2:39-40), indicating that David maintained a relationship with Achish even after becoming king.
Psalm 34 is attributed to David when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech (Achish), who drove him away (Psalm 34:1). The psalm expresses David's trust in God and his deliverance from fear and trouble.
All entries for Achish or Abimelech: אֲכִישׁ ☩ אֲבִימֶלֶךְ
Related Profiles:
- Maoch (father)