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1 Samuel 27

World English Bible

WEB

1David said in his heart, “I will now perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel. So I will escape out of his hand.” 2David arose and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. 3David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife. 4Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, so he stopped looking for him. 5David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” 6Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: therefore Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this day. 7The number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. 8David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those were the inhabitants of the land who were of old, on the way to Shur, even to the land of Egypt. 9David struck the land, and saved no man or woman alive, and took away the sheep, the cattle, the donkeys, the camels, and the clothing. Then he returned, and came to Achish. 10Achish said, “Against whom have you made a raid today?” David said, “Against the South of Judah, against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.” 11David saved neither man nor woman alive to bring them to Gath, saying, “Lest they should tell about us, saying, ‘David did this, and this has been his way all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” 12Achish believed David, saying, “He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him. Therefore he will be my servant forever.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

1 Samuel Chapter 27 narrates a significant moment in the life of David as he seeks refuge from King Saul. Fearing for his life due to Saul's relentless pursuit, David decides to escape to the land of the Philistines, specifically to Achish, the king of Gath. This decision reflects David's deep sense of desperation and his struggle with faith, as he chooses to align himself with Israel's enemies rather than trust in God's protection. David's actions raise questions about his reliance on God during this tumultuous period, highlighting the human tendency to seek safety in worldly alliances when faced with fear and uncertainty.
Once in Gath, David is received by Achish, who grants him a city called Ziklag. David cleverly presents himself as a loyal servant to Achish, deceiving him into believing that he is no longer a threat to the Philistines. Throughout this time, David conducts raids against various groups, including the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, ensuring that no survivors are left to report back to Achish about his true activities. This chapter illustrates the complexities of David's character, as he navigates the challenges of survival while maintaining a façade of loyalty. Ultimately, David's time in Philistine territory serves as a reminder of the lengths to which he goes to protect himself, even as he remains the anointed future king of Israel, demonstrating the tension between faith and fear in the life of a believer. #David #Saul #Philistines #Ziklag

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Referenced by

  1. 1 Samuel 29:6v12Achish's trust in David, as seen in 1 Samuel 29:6, is built on David's previous actions described in 1 Samuel 27:12, where Achish believed David had made himself odious to Israel.

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