ACHISH (IIeb. aw-keesh', signi fication uncertain) (called Abimelech in the title of Ps. xxxiv), the Philistine king of Gath, with whom David twice sought refuge when he fled from Saul (t Sam. xxi:Io-15; xxvii:1-3). The first time David was in imminent danger; for he was recognized and spoken of by the officers of the court as one whose glory had been won at the cost of the Philistines. They said, "is not this David the king of the land?" etc.
(1) Stratagem. This talk filled David with such alarm that he feigned himself mad when introduced to the notice of Achish, who, see ing him 'scrabbling upon the doors of the gate, and letting his spittle fall down upon his beard,' rebuked his people sharply for bringing him to his presence, asking, Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fel low come into my house?' After this David lost no time in quitting the territories of Gath.
Winer illustrates David's conduct by reference to the similar proceeding of some other great men, who feigned themselves mad in difficult circumstances—as Ulysses (Cic. Off. iii :26 ; Hy gin, 1:95, Schol. ad Lycophr. 818), the astron omer Meton (iElian, Hist. xiii:12), L. Junius Brutus (Liv. :56; Dion. Hal. iv:68), and the Arabian king Bacha (Schultens, Auth. Vet. llaunasa, p. 535).
(2) Later Visit. About four years after, when the character and position of David became better known, and when he was at the head of not less than Goo resolute adherents, he again repaired with his troop to King Achish, who received him in a truly royal spirit, and treated him with a generous confidence, of which David took rather more advantage than Nvas creditable to him (I Sam. xxvii :2-7). (See DAVID.)