1 Samuel Chapter 27

David went on his way, and Saul went home.

1 Sam 26:17-25

David Flees to the Philistines

¹ David said to himself, “Someday Saul is going to kill me. All I can do is escape to the Philistines. He’ll get tired of looking for me in Israel, and I’ll get away from him.” ² David and his 600 men crossed over to Achish Ben-Maoch, king of Gath. ³ They lived with Achish, each with his family and David with his two wives Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal’s widow. ⁴ Saul heard that David had fled to Gath, so he quit looking for him.

⁵ Then David told Achish, “If I’m pleasing to you, have them give me a place in a town out in the country. Why should I live in the royal city with you?” ⁶ Achish gave him Ziklag. It still belongs to Judah’s kings. ⁷ He lived among the Philistines for a year and four months.

1 Sam 27:1-7

⁸ David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites; because they had lived in the land from ancient times, toward Shur all the way to Egypt. ⁹ He attacked the land and didn’t leave a man or woman alive. He brought back to Achish the sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing. ¹⁰ Achish asked, “Where did you raid today?” David said, “In the Negev of Judah, the Jerahmeelites, and the Kenites.” ¹¹ David didn’t leave anyone alive to bring to Gath and said, “So they won’t say about us, ‘That’s been David’s practice ever since he lived among the Philistines.’” ¹² Achish believed David, “He has surely made himself repulsive to his people; he’ll serve me from now on.” 1 Sam 27:8-12