I got to this section this week and I feel like I'm missing something:
David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Gizrites, and the Amalekites—who were the inhabitants of the region of Olam, all the way to Shur and to the land of Egypt.—When David attacked a region, he would leave no man or woman alive; he would take flocks, herds, asses, camels, and clothing. When he returned and came to Achish, Achish would ask, “Where did you raid today?” and David would reply, “The Negeb of Judah,” or “the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites,” or “the Negeb of the Kenites.” David would leave no man or woman alive to be brought to Gath; for he thought, “They might tell about us: David did this.” Such was his practice as long as he stayed in the territory of the Philistines. Achish trusted David. He thought: “He has aroused the wrath of his own people Israel, and so he will be my vassal forever.”—1st Samuel 27:8-12 (NJPS)
I know that Negeb can mean the desert region south of Jerusalem or just "south". So it seems like David must be using the ambiguity to trick Achish. To really understand what's going on here, I'd like to know:
- What did David mean by "The Negeb of Judah"?
- What did Achish think David was saying?
And what's the significance of the Jerahmeelites and the Kenites?