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1 Samuel 27:12

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 27:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
1 Samuel 27:12 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And David smote the land, and saved neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel; and he returned, and came to Achish.
10And Achish said, Against whom have ye made a raid to-day? And David said, Against the South of Judah, and against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.
11And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell of us, saying, So did David, and so hath been his manner all the while he hath dwelt in the country of the Philistines.
12And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
← 1 Samuel 27:111 Samuel 28:1 →
← Full Chapter 27 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Achish believed David, etc.] As he would have him understand his story; imposing upon him by ambiguous terms, insinuating he had been against the southern parts of Judah, when he had been against foreign nations that lay to the south of Judah: saying, he hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; they shall never forgive him the destruction of their cities, and the inhabitants of them, and the plunder of their goods and cattle; his name will be had in the utmost detestation and abhorrence, and he must never return thither any more: therefore he shall be my servant for ever: would be glad to continue with him as a servant, and be obliged to serve him faithfully and truly, since his…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“utterly to abhor: Heb. to stink, Sa1 13:4; Gen 34:30 Next: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) Chapter 28”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Sa1 27:12 is connected with Sa1 27:10; Achish believed David's words, and said (to himself), "He hath made himself stinking (i.e., hated) among his own people, among Israel, and will be my servant (i.e., subject to me) for ever." Next: 1 Kings (1 Samuel) Chapter 28”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification