1 Samuel 28:1-2

1 Samuel 28:1-2

[1] And it came to pass in those days,  that the Philistines  their armies  together  for warfare,  to fight  with Israel.  And Achish  said  unto David,  Know  that thou shalt go out  with me to battle,  [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. 

What does 1 Samuel 28:1-2 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

David"s response to Achish was deliberately ambiguous. He did not promise to fight for the Philistines but gave the impression he would ( 1 Samuel 28:2). Achish interpreted David"s words as a strong commitment to him and rewarded David with a position as his bodyguard for life.
David continued to be a blessing to Israel as he obeyed God in Ziklag, without giving any real help to Israel"s enemy, the Philistines. This plan of David"s, while yielding some positive benefits, involved him in deception and lying, plus leaving him vulnerable to Achish if the Philistine king learned what was really happening.
This whole pericope illustrates that, when opposition from ungodly people persists, God"s people should continue to pray and trust Him for protection rather than taking matters into their own hands. If we initiate a plan without seeking God"s guidance, we may remove one source of aggravation and danger only to find ourselves in another. Such plans may result in some good, but they may also put us in situations where we find it even more tempting to disobey God (cf. Jacob). We should, instead, remember God"s promises (e.g, 1 Peter 1:3-9; 2 Peter 1:2-4) and pray for His guidance (cf. Philippians 4:6-7).