1 And 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.
2 And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
3 And 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.
4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
5 And 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?
6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
7 And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
8 And 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.
9 And 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.
10 And 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.
11 And 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.
12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
Chapter 27 of the book of 1 Samuel continues the narrative of David's journey as he flees from King Saul, who is seeking to kill him. In this chapter, David seeks refuge from the Philistine king, Achish, and is granted the city of Ziklag as his own. This chapter also explores themes of faith, trust, and the consequences of making decisions based on fear instead of seeking God's guidance.
The chapter begins with David expressing his fear of Saul and his decision to seek refuge with the Philistines. He states, "And 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" (1 Samuel 27:1, KJV). This decision is a result of David's fear and lack of trust in God's protection.
David goes to Achish, the king of Gath, and asks for a place to dwell in the land of Gath. Achish grants him the city of Ziklag, where David and his men settle. This decision to seek refuge with the enemy, the Philistines, raises questions about David's faith and trust in God. It also foreshadows the consequences of David's decision to take matters into his own hands instead of seeking God's guidance.
As David and his men settle in Ziklag, they begin to raid and plunder the nearby villages of the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. David does this under the guise of attacking Israel's enemies, but in reality, he is attacking innocent people. This decision not only goes against God's commandments but also puts David in a compromising position with the Philistines. When Achish asks David about his raids, David lies and says that he is attacking the cities of Judah, not the Philistines' enemies.
David's decision to seek refuge with the Philistines and his subsequent actions have consequences not only for himself but also for his men and the innocent people they attack. This chapter serves as a reminder of the consequences of making decisions based on fear and lack of trust in God.
The main theme of this chapter is the importance of seeking God's guidance in all decisions. David's fear and lack of trust in God lead him to seek refuge with the enemy and make decisions that go against God's commandments. This ultimately puts him in a compromising position and leads to the consequences of his actions.
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of individuals who sought God's guidance and were blessed, and those who relied on their own understanding and faced consequences. Proverbs 3:5-6 states, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (KJV). This verse emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and seeking His guidance in all aspects of life.
David's decision to seek refuge with the Philistines and his subsequent actions serve as a cautionary tale for us to seek God's guidance and trust in His protection and provision, even in times of fear and uncertainty.
Another important theme in this chapter is the role of faith in David's journey. David's fear and lack of trust in God lead him to make decisions that go against God's will. However, we also see glimpses of David's faith in God throughout this chapter.
When David first expresses his fear and decision to seek refuge with the Philistines, he says, "I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul" (1 Samuel 27:1, KJV). This statement shows that David still believes in God's protection and acknowledges that it is only by God's hand that he will perish. This shows that David's faith in God is still present, but it is clouded by fear and doubt.
In addition, when David is questioned by Achish about his raids, he says, "And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever" (1 Samuel 27:12, KJV). This verse shows that even in the midst of his deceit, David's faith in God's protection prevails as he is able to continue deceiving Achish and avoid being discovered.
David's journey in this chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of faith in our relationship with God. It also shows that even in times of fear and doubt, God's protection and provision are still present for those who have faith and trust in Him.
The city of Ziklag, which is granted to David by Achish, holds significant symbolism in this chapter. Ziklag was originally a city of the Canaanites, but it was given to the tribe of Judah as part of their inheritance in the promised land (Joshua 15:31). However, the tribe of Judah was unable to fully conquer the city, and it remained a stronghold for the Philistines.
By giving David the city of Ziklag, Achish is essentially giving him a city that belongs to the tribe of Judah. This is significant because it shows that even in the midst of seeking refuge with the enemy, God is still fulfilling His promise to give David the kingdom of Israel. This also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises, despite our circumstances.
Finally, this chapter serves as a lesson about the dangers of seeking refuge in the wrong places. David's decision to seek refuge with the Philistines ultimately leads to him making decisions that go against God's will and put him in a compromising position. This is a reminder that when we are faced with difficult situations, we must seek refuge in God and His word, not in the world or our own understanding.
Overall, chapter 27 of 1 Samuel in the KJV Holy Bible serves as a reminder of the consequences of making decisions based on fear and lack of trust in God. It also highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance and having faith in His protection and provision. The story of David's journey in this chapter serves as a cautionary tale for us to always seek God's will and trust in His faithfulness, even in times of uncertainty and fear.
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