1 Samuel Chapter 27

Updated: September 14, 2025

David and the Philistines

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. 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.

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? 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.

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. 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. 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. 12And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

David and the Philistines

1 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.” 2 David arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath. 3 David 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. 4 It was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

5 David 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?” 6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: why Ziklag pertains to the kings of Judah to this day. 7 The number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.

8 David and his men went up, and made a raid on the Geshurites, and the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those were the inhabitants of the land, who were of old, as you go to Shur, even to the land of Egypt. 9 David struck the land, and saved neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the cattle, and the donkeys, and the camels, and the clothing; and he returned, and came to Achish. 10 Achish 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.” 11 David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, “Lest they should tell of us, saying, ‘David this, and this has been his way all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” 12 Achish believed David, saying, “He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him. Therefore he shall be my servant forever.”

David and the Philistines

1 David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”

2 So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, a the king of Gath. 3 David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal. 4 And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

5 Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let me be assigned a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. For why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

6 That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day it still belongs to the kings of Judah. 7 And the time that David lived in Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.

8 Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these people had inhabited the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) 9 Whenever David attacked a territory, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but he took the flocks and herds, the donkeys, camels, and clothing.

Then he would return to Achish, 10 who would ask him, “What have you raided today?”

And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.”

11 David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did.’ ” And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory.

12 So Achish trusted David, thinking, “Since he has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.”

Footnotes:

2 a Maoch  is a variant of Maacah ; see 1 Kings 2:39.

David and the Philistines

1And David saith unto his heart, 'Now am I consumed one day by the hand of Saul; there is nothing for me better than that I diligently escape unto the land of the Philistines, and Saul hath been despairing of me -- of seeking me any more in all the border of Israel, and I have escaped out of his hand.' 2And David riseth, and passeth over, he and six hundred men who are with him, unto Achish son of Maoch king of Gath; 3and David dwelleth with Achish in Gath, he and his men, each one with his household, even David and his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail wife of Nabal the Carmelitess. 4And it is declared to Saul that David hath fled to Gath, and he hath not added any more to seek him.

5And David saith unto Achish, 'If, I pray thee, I have found grace in thine eyes, they give to me a place in one of the cities of the field, and I dwell there, yea, why doth thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?' 6And Achish giveth to him in that day Ziklag, therefore hath Ziklag been to the kings of Judah till this day. 7And the number of the days which David hath dwelt in the field of the Philistines is days and four months;

8and David goeth up and his men, and they push unto the Geshurite, and the Gerizite, and the Amalekite, (for they are inhabitants of the land from of old), as thou comest in to Shur and unto the land of Egypt, 9and David hath smitten the land, and doth not keep alive man and woman, and hath taken sheep, and oxen, and asses, and camels, and garments, and turneth back, and cometh in unto Achish. 10And Achish saith, 'Whither have ye pushed to-day?' and David saith, 'Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelite, and unto the south of the Kenite.' 11Neither man nor woman doth David keep alive, to bring in word to Gath, saying, 'Lest they declare it against us, saying, Thus hath David done, and thus is his custom all the days that he hath dwelt in the fields of the Philistines.' 12And Achish believeth in David, saying, 'He hath made himself utterly abhorred among his people, in Israel, and hath been to me for a servant age-during.'

New Bible Challenges and Quizzes being added regularly.

Begin a Bible Quiz

The F.O.G Commentary

When Faith Feels Like a Four-Letter Word

What’s 1 Samuel 27 about?

David hits rock bottom and makes what might be the worst decision of his life – running to his enemies for safety. It’s a masterclass in what happens when exhaustion trumps trust, and honestly, it’s uncomfortably relatable for anyone who’s ever felt like giving up on God’s promises.

The Full Context

Picture this: David has been running for his life for years. King Saul, consumed by jealousy and paranoia, has turned the entire nation into a manhunt for the man God anointed as the next king. David’s had close calls, narrow escapes, and moments where he could have ended it all by killing Saul – but he didn’t. He’s tried to do the right thing, to wait on God’s timing, to trust the promises. But now? Now he’s tired.

This chapter sits at a crucial turning point in David’s story. We’ve watched him grow from shepherd boy to giant-slayer to fugitive king-in-waiting. But 1 Samuel 27 shows us what happens when even the most faithful people reach their breaking point. It’s sandwiched between David’s merciful encounters with Saul and sets up the tragic finale of Saul’s reign. The author wants us to see the human side of God’s chosen one – and maybe recognize ourselves in his moment of weakness.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

The opening verse hits like a gut punch: “David said in his heart, ‘Now I shall perish suddenly one day by the hand of Saul.’” That phrase “said in his heart” (amar b’libo) isn’t just casual thinking – it’s the language of deep, settled conviction. David has moved from hope to hopelessness, from trust to terror.

Grammar Geeks

The Hebrew phrase “I shall perish suddenly” (asapeh yom echad) literally means “I shall be swept away in one day.” It’s the same word used for natural disasters – David feels like he’s about to be wiped out by a force of nature, not just defeated in battle.

But here’s where it gets interesting: David doesn’t pray about this decision. He doesn’t seek counsel. He doesn’t even tell his men what he’s planning. The text just says he “arose and went.” After years of waiting on God’s timing, David decides to take matters into his own hands.

When David approaches Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, something fascinating happens. This is the same guy who once pretended to be insane to escape from these very people (1 Samuel 21:10-15). Now he’s back, but this time he’s bringing 600 trained warriors as a dowry. Suddenly, David isn’t a crazy refugee – he’s a valuable military asset.

What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

The F.O.G Bible Project

This page has a unique origin story and vision. Find out why your visit today is about more than words.

What is the F.O.G?

Ancient readers would have been absolutely scandalized by this story. David isn’t just switching sides – he’s joining Israel’s most hated enemies, the uncircumcised Philistines who had terrorized God’s people for generations. This would be like Captain America defecting to HYDRA.

Did You Know?

The Philistines weren’t just political enemies – they represented everything that opposed God’s covenant people. They had captured the Ark of the Covenant, killed Eli’s sons, and their champion Goliath had blasphemed the name of the living God. For David to seek refuge with them was spiritual as well as political treason.

But there’s something even more troubling brewing beneath the surface. When Achish gives David the town of Ziklag, it becomes a base for raiding operations. David starts attacking Israel’s enemies – the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites – but telling Achish he’s attacking Judah and Israel’s allies. It’s a brilliant double-agent strategy, but it’s built on layers of deception.

The original audience would have recognized the irony: David is actually doing God’s work by destroying these enemies of Israel (remember, God had commanded the complete destruction of the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15), but he’s doing it under false pretenses while serving enemy kings.

But Wait… Why Did They…?

Here’s what’s genuinely puzzling: Why does Achish trust David so completely? This is the same David who killed Goliath, who had slaughtered thousands of Philistines, whose name was sung in victory songs throughout Israel. Yet Achish not only welcomes him but gives him a city and believes his obvious lies about raiding Israelite territories.

The text gives us a clue: “Achish believed David, saying, ‘He has made his people Israel utterly abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant forever.’” Achish thinks David has burned his bridges so completely that he has no choice but to stay loyal to Philistia. From Achish’s perspective, David’s defection is permanent – he’s gained a powerful ally who can never go home.

Wait, That’s Strange…

David’s deception strategy raises uncomfortable questions. He’s killing entire populations so that “no man or woman alive to bring tidings to Gath.” This isn’t just military strategy – it’s covering up lies with genocide. How do we reconcile this with the “man after God’s own heart”?

But there’s another layer to consider: David never actually fights against Israel. When the final showdown comes and the Philistines prepare to battle Saul, the other Philistine commanders don’t trust David and force Achish to send him away (1 Samuel 29). It’s almost like God is protecting David from having to choose between his covenant people and his temporary allies.

Wrestling with the Text

This passage forces us to confront an uncomfortable reality: even people of great faith sometimes make terrible decisions when they’re exhausted and afraid. David’s sixteen months with the Philistines represent a spiritual and moral low point, but they’re also painfully human.

Think about David’s mental state. He’s been on the run for years, constantly looking over his shoulder, never knowing if today is the day Saul finally catches up. He’s watched his friends die, seen innocent people suffer because of their association with him, and felt the weight of unfulfilled promises growing heavier with each passing day. When he says “I shall perish suddenly,” he’s not being dramatic – he’s expressing the deep weariness of someone who’s been strong for too long.

“Sometimes our greatest failures come not from rebellion against God, but from giving up on His timing.”

The tragedy is that David was actually closest to the end of his trial when he gave up. 1 Samuel 28-31 tells the story of Saul’s final downfall and death. If David had just held on a little longer, if he had trusted God’s promises just a bit more, he wouldn’t have needed this detour through enemy territory.

Yet even in David’s failure, we see traces of God’s grace. David never fully abandons his identity as an Israelite. He protects Judah’s southern border, he destroys Israel’s enemies, and when push comes to shove, he’s prevented from fighting against his own people. It’s as if God is working around David’s faithlessness, accomplishing His purposes even through flawed human decisions.

How This Changes Everything

Here’s what this passage teaches us about the nature of faith and failure: God doesn’t disqualify us because we make bad decisions when we’re afraid and tired. David’s time with the Philistines doesn’t erase his calling or cancel God’s promises. Instead, it becomes part of his story, part of what shapes him into the king God wants him to be.

The sixteen months in Ziklag teach David things he couldn’t have learned hiding in caves. He gains military experience, learns about international politics, and perhaps most importantly, discovers what it feels like to live outside of God’s protection and provision. When he finally becomes king, he’ll remember what it was like to depend on lies and violence instead of faith and truth.

But there’s also a warning here for all of us. David’s downward spiral begins with a single thought: “I shall perish suddenly one day.” He lets fear and exhaustion convince him that God’s promises aren’t reliable, that he needs to take matters into his own hands. Once that door opens, compromise becomes easier and easier until he’s living a double life, deceiving allies and slaughtering enemies to cover his tracks.

The path back won’t be easy. David’s decision to flee to Philistia will have consequences that stretch far into his reign as king. The Amalekites he failed to completely destroy will come back to raid Ziklag (1 Samuel 30). The deception and violence he practiced will become patterns that haunt his later years. Bad decisions made in moments of weakness don’t just disappear – they leave scars.

Yet even in David’s failure, God’s sovereignty shines through. The very decision that seemed to demonstrate David’s lack of faith becomes the means by which he avoids having to fight against Israel. The time in Philistia that appears to be wasted becomes preparation for kingship. God doesn’t waste our failures – He redeems them, uses them, transforms them into something that serves His purposes.

Key Takeaway

When faith feels impossible and God’s promises seem like fairy tales, remember that your worst decisions don’t disqualify you from God’s best plans. Sometimes the detours we take in fear become the very paths God uses to prepare us for what’s coming next.

1 Samuel Chapter 27

Add Comment

God's Word is too vast for a single perspective. We all have a story, and as believers we all carry the Holy Spirit who is the Revealer. With this in mind - I would love to read your comments.