Bible Dictionary
Achish
Achish was a Philistine king of Gath who gave refuge to David when David fled from Saul. Another king of Gath by this name lived during the early reign of Solomon.
Definition
Achish was a Philistine king of Gath. David sought refuge with him while fleeing Saul, and Achish later gave David Ziklag. Another king of Gath named Achish lived during the early reign of Solomon.
Biblical Usage
David first feigned madness before Achish and was sent away. Later Achish received him hospitably and wished him to accompany the Philistines against Israel, but the Philistine rulers objected. Achish is called Abimelech in the title of Psalm 34.
Historical Background
Achish was still ruling about forty years after David’s later refuge, at the beginning of Solomon’s reign. His father is called Maoch in one passage and Maacah in another.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Angry, perhaps only a general title of royalty applicable to the Philistine kings. (1.) The king with whom David sought refuge when he fled from Saul (1 Sam. 21:10-15). He is called Abimelech in the superscription of Ps. 34. It was probably this same king to whom David a second time repaired at the head of a band of 600 warriors, and who assigned him Ziklag, whence he carried on war against the surrounding tribes (1 Sam. 27:5-12). Achish had great confidence in the valour and fidelity of David (1 Sam. 28:1, 2), but at the instigation of his courtiers did not permit him to go up to battle along with the Philistine hosts (1 Sam. 29:2-11). David remained with Achish a year and four months. (2.) Another king of Gath, probably grandson of the foregoing, to whom the two servants of Shimei fled. This led Shimei to go to Gath in pursuit of them, and the consequence was that Solomon put him to death (1 Kings 2:39-46).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(angry), a Philistine king of Gath, who in the title of the 34th Psalm is called Abimelech. David twice found a refuge with him when he fled from Saul. (B.C. 1061.) On the first occasion he was alarmed for his safety, feigned madness, and was sent away.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a'-kish ('akhish): King of the city of Gath in the days of David. His father's name is given as Maoch (1Sa 27:2), and Maacah (1Ki 2:39). David sought the protection of Achish when he first fled from Saul, and just after his visit to Nob (1Sa 21:10-15). Fearing rough treatment or betrayal by Achish, he feigned madness. But this made him unwelcome, whereupon he fled to the Cave of Adullam (1Sa 22:1). Later in his fugitive period David returned to Gath to be hospitably received by Achish (1Sa 27:1 ff), who gave him the town of Ziklag for his home. A year later, when the Philistines invaded the land of Israel, in the campaign which ended so disastrously for Saul (1Sa 31), Achish wished David to participate (1Sa 28:1-2), but the lords of the Philistines objected so strenuously, when they found him and his men with the forces of Achish, that Achish was compelled to send them back. Achish must have been a young man at this time, for he was still ruling forty years later at the beginning of Solomon's reign (1Ki 2:39). He is mentioned as Abimelech in the title of Ps 34. See ABIMELECH.</p><p>Edward Mack</p>