Though Achish would have understood David’s words as referring to himself, David here purposefully employed cryptic language that actually referred to Saul.1 Previously David had used these words only in reference to Saul (see 1 Samuel 24:8; 1 Samuel 26:17, 1 Samuel 26:19). Achish also, perhaps subconsciously, later referred to Saul as David’s lord (1 Samuel 29:10).2
8 And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?”