Dictionary Summary:The king with whom David sought refuge when he fled from Saul ([1 Sam. 21:10-15](/1sam#1Sam.21.10)). He is called Abimelech in the superscription of [Ps. 34](/ps#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](/1sam#1Sam.27.5)). Achish had great confidence in the valour and fidelity of David ([1 Sam. 28:1](/1sam#1Sam.28.1), [2](/1sam#1Sam.28.2)), 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](/1sam#1Sam.29.2)). David remained with Achish a year and four months. ²