Teks -- 1 Samuel 28:2 (NET)

28:2 David replied to Achish, “That being the case, you will come to know what your servant can do!” Achish said to David, “Then I will make you my bodyguard from now on.”

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 1Sa 28:2 - Can do

He speaks ambiguously, as he did before.

JFB: 1Sa 28:2 - Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do

This answer, while it seemed to express an apparent cheerfulness in agreeing to the proposal, contained a studied ambiguity--a wary and politic generality.

JFB: 1Sa 28:2 - Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever

Or, "my life"; that is, "captain of my bodyguard," an office of great trust and high honor.

Clarke: 1Sa 28:2 - Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do

Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do - This was another equivocal answer; and could only be understood by his succeeding conduct. It might imply what he could do in favor of the Philistines against Israel; or in favor of Israel against the Philistines. Achish understood it in the former sense; and therefore he said to David, I will make thee keeper of my head for ever; i.e., Thou shalt be captain of my life-guards.

TSK: 1Sa 28:2 - Surely

Surely : 1Sa 27:10; 2Sa 16:16-19; Rom 12:9

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 1Sa 28:2 - David // Therefore // Of mine head

David speaks ambitiously, as he did before, that Achish might understand him, as he did, of his acting for him against the Israelites; whereas he meant it of his acting for the Israelites against the Philistines, to which he was obliged both by God’ s express command, and by his indelible and manifold obligations to God, and to God’ s people, and by his own manifest interest. Though it is likely he would have managed his affairs with all possible regard and care of Achish’ s person, to whom alone, upon the matter, David stood obliged, and not to the rest of the Philistines, who had an ill opinion of him, as we shall see.

Therefore for that valour which I doubt not thou wilt show on my behalf.

Of mine head i.e. of my body and life, the captain of my life-guard.

Haydock: 1Sa 28:2 - Do // Guard

Do; or "can do." Thou wilt be convinced of my valour and fidelity. (Haydock) ---

But could David lawfully fight against his brethren? or could he desert Achis in the heat of the engagement? His answer is ambiguous. (Calmet) ---

He prudently committed his cause into the hands of Providence, resolved to do nothing contrary to his duty, and to abide by God's decision, in this critical juncture, so that Cajetan blames him unjustly. (Salien; Menochius; Tirinus) ---

Guard. Septuagint, "captain of my body guard."

Gill: 1Sa 28:2 - 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

And David said to Achish, surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do,.... By which he would have Achish understand, and so he did, that he would exert himself in favour of the Philistines, and against Israel, and do great and brave things, of which Achish would be, made sensible, through his heroic courage and valour; though he meant rather what he could and should do for Israel against the Philistines, if he had an opportunity: but it seems best of all to consider David as quite undetermined, and at a loss what to do, hoping that God in his providence would extricate him out of this difficulty, and direct him what he should do, which then Achish would know; and accordingly he was delivered out of it:

and Achish said to David: putting confidence in him on account of his answer, and believing he was hearty in engaging in the war with the Philistines against Israel:

therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever; the captain of his bodyguard, which post he should hold for life; or he proposed to put him into this post, that he might be with him, near his person, and under his eye, that he might observe how he behaved himself; which may show some suspicion of him.