Having been with Achish for more than a year, there was a lot of time for David to demonstrate his loyalty to the Philistine king.1 Achish’ confidence in David was, however, founded on David’s deception (cf. 1 Samuel 27:8–12).2 He thought that David was an enemy of Saul and loyal to him. In this regard, he is presented to us as a foil for Saul. Saul thought that David was a dangerous enemy, while he was actually a loyal bodyguard. Achish considered David to be his loyal bodyguard, while he was actually a dangerous enemy.3
3 the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me now for days and years, and since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day.”