David's internal monologue in verse 1 marks the only time in Samuel where Israel's future king explicitly voices despair and abandons faith in divine protection.
1 Samuel 27
David Among the Philistines
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.”
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Theme
Feeling increasingly threatened by Saul's persistent pursuit, David makes the strategic decision to seek refuge among Israel's enemies, the Philistines. He and his 600 men settle in Gath under King Achish's protection, eventually receiving the city of Ziklag as their base. While appearing to serve Achish loyally, David secretly conducts raids against Israel's enemies rather than his own people, carefully concealing his true activities through deception and eliminating witnesses.
Context
This chapter follows David's second sparing of Saul's life and marks a significant shift as David abandons hope of reconciliation, setting up his complex position during the upcoming battle at Mount Gilboa.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-4 David Flees to Philistine Territory David decides to escape Saul's pursuit by seeking asylum with Achish, king of Gath, successfully ending Saul's search.
- 5-7 Settlement in Ziklag David requests and receives the city of Ziklag from Achish, establishing a base for his men and families for over a year.
- 8-12 Secret Raids and Deception David conducts raids against non-Israelite peoples while deceiving Achish about his targets, eliminating witnesses to maintain his cover.
David Among the Philistines
27:1–27:12 narrative narration contemplative
David flees to Philistine territory and serves King Achish of Gath, receiving the city of Ziklag while secretly raiding Israel's enemies. He deceives Achish about his true activities to survive in exile.
person_contrast
David's internal monologue in verse 1 marks the only time in Samuel where Israel's future king explicitly voices despair and abandons faith in divine protection.
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Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
1 Samuel 27:1 2 references
Lexicals 2
1 Samuel 27:3 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Samuel 2:2 Lexical
So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
1 Samuel 30:5 Lexical
David’s two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
1 Chronicles 3:1 Lexical
Now these were the sons of David, who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the…
2 Samuel 3:2 Lexical
Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;
2 Samuel 3:3 Lexical
and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daught…
1 Samuel 27:4 2 references
1 Samuel 27:5 1 reference
1 Samuel 27:7 1 reference
1 Samuel 27:9 5 references
Lexicals 5
Exodus 9:3 Lexical
behold, the LORD’s hand is on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on th…
Genesis 12:16 Lexical
He dealt well with Abram for her sake. He had sheep, cattle, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkey…
Genesis 24:35 Lexical
The LORD has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. The LORD has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, m…
Genesis 30:43 Lexical
The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
1 Chronicles 5:21 Lexical
They took away their livestock: of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred fifty thousand, and of donkeys…
1 Samuel 27:10 1 reference
1 Samuel 27:11 1 reference
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v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
v. 7
v. 8
v. 9
v. 10
v. 11
v. 12
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