1 Samuel
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1 Samuel 27
1 Samuel 27
1And David said in his heart, I shall 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 shall I escape out of his hand.
1And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.
Commentary · verse 1
2And David arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men that were with him, unto Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
3And David dwelt 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.
4And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
2And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
3And David dwelt 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.
4And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
Commentary · verses 2-4
David went to Gath in the land of the Philistines (Goliath's home town) and when Saul heard of this, he did not pursue David again. Saul did not want to deal with the Philistines.
5And David said unto Achish, If now I have found favor in thine eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?
5And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?
Commentary · verse 5
David appeared humble to King Achish.
6Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
7And the number of the days that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
6Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
7And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
Commentary · verses 6-7
David lived with the Philistines for one year and four months. Remember, David had killed Goliath and caused the Philistines to be defeated that day. Here, he was living with them!
8And David and his men went up, and made a raid upon the Geshurites, and the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those nations were the inhabitants of the land, who were of old, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.
9And David smote the land, and saved neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel; and he returned, and came to Achish.
8And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.
9And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
Commentary · verses 8-9
David seemed to have taken on a new occupation: a raider.
10And Achish said, Against whom have ye made a raid to-day? And David said, Against the South of Judah, and against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.
10And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.
Commentary · verse 10
David lied to Achish. The Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites were not of the South of Judah. This lie was an attempt at gaining favor with Achish.
11And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell of us, saying, So did David, and so hath been his manner all the while he hath dwelt in the country of the Philistines.
11And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.
Commentary · verse 11
David killed all the men and women so they wouldn't be able to expose David's lie to Achish.
12And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
12And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
Commentary · verse 12
David convinced Achish that David would be Achish's servant forever.
1 Samuel 25-27 began with Samuel's death and covered David's and Saul's continued warring against each other.
The first line in this chapter sets the context for many forthcoming events: "David said in his heart." David seemed to be in fear again and was making some bold statements that did not seem rooted in faith: "I shall now perish" - "there is nothing better for me" - "Saul will despair of me."
Was David about to make decisions in his "own strength" or would he inquire of God?