1. kai eipen dauid en th kardia autou legwn nun prosteqhsomai en hmera mia eiV ceiraV saoul kai ouk estin moi agaqon ean mh swqw eiV ghn allofulwn kai anh saoul tou zhtein me eiV pan orion israhl kai swqhsomai ek ceiroV autou
2. kai anesth dauid kai oi tetrakosioi andreV met' autou kai eporeuqh proV agcouV uion ammac basilea geq
3. kai ekaqisen dauid meta agcouV en geq autoV kai oi andreV autou ekastoV kai o oikoV autou kai dauid kai amfoterai ai gunaikeV autou acinaam h iezrahlitiV kai abigaia h gunh nabal tou karmhliou
4. kai anhggelh tw saoul oti pefeugen dauid eiV geq kai ou proseqeto eti zhtein auton
5. kai eipen dauid proV agcouV ei dh eurhken o douloV sou carin en ofqalmoiV sou dotwsan dh moi topon en mia twn polewn twn kat' agron kai kaqhsomai ekei kai ina ti kaqhtai o douloV sou en polei basileuomenh meta sou
6. kai edwken autw en th hmera ekeinh thn sekelak dia touto egenhqh sekelak tw basilei thV ioudaiaV ewV thV hmeraV tauthV
7. kai egenhqh o ariqmoV twn hmerwn wn ekaqisen dauid en agrw twn allofulwn tessaraV mhnaV
8. kai anebainen dauid kai oi andreV autou kai epetiqento epi panta ton gesiri kai epi ton amalhkithn kai idou h gh katwkeito apo anhkontwn h apo gelamyour teteicismenwn kai ewV ghV aiguptou
9. kai etupte thn ghn kai ouk ezwogonei andra kai gunaika kai elambanen poimnia kai boukolia kai onouV kai kamhlouV kai imatismon kai anestreyan kai hrconto proV agcouV
10. kai eipen agcouV proV dauid epi tina epeqesqe shmeron kai eipen dauid proV agcouV kata noton thV ioudaiaV kai kata noton iesmega kai kata noton tou kenezi
11. kai andra kai gunaika ouk ezwogonhsen tou eisagagein eiV geq legwn mh anaggeilwsin eiV geq kaq' hmwn legonteV tade dauid poiei kai tode to dikaiwma autou pasaV taV hmeraV aV ekaqhto dauid en agrw twn allofulwn
12. kai episteuqh dauid en tw agcouV sfodra legwn hscuntai aiscunomenoV en tw law autou en israhl kai estai moi douloV eiV ton aiwna
Footnotes:
27:1-2 - David flees to Philistine territory, seeking refuge from Saul. This reflects David's desperation in the face of Saul's relentless pursuit and his need for security (see also Psalm 31:1-2 and Psalm 56:3-4).
27:5-7 - David receives the city of Ziklag from Achish, king of the Philistines, where he and his men live for a year and four months. This period represents a period of survival in enemy territory, but also of tactics and diplomacy (see also 1 Kings 2:39-40 and 2 Samuel 1:1).
27:8-9 - David attacks tribes that are enemies of Israel, leaving no survivors. He acts cunningly, deceiving Achish into believing he is attacking Israel itself. This demonstrates David's strategic intelligence (see also Joshua 6:21 and Judges 1:17).
27:10-11 - David lies to Achish about his military campaigns, keeping his true target secret. This narrative raises questions about morality, warfare, and survival, highlighting the dilemmas David faced (see also Exodus 1:19-21 and Romans 3:8).
27:12:00 - Achish trusts David, believing he has become hated by Israel. This secures David a foothold among the Philistines, setting the stage for his future strategic moves (see also 1 Samuel 29:6 and Proverbs 16:7).
Verses related to I Samuel, 27:
1 Samuel chapter 27 recounts David's controversial decision to ally with the Philistines. How does hopelessness affect David's judgment? This intriguing text recounts David's move to Ziklag, his service to King Achish, and his secret raids against Israel's enemies. The chapter explores themes of moral commitment, survival in hostile territory, and the complexities of leadership in exile. Examine with us five biblical passages that elucidate ethical dilemmas and the consequences of decisions made under pressure in this challenging chapter.
Psalms 56:3: "But I, when I am afraid, will trust you." - This psalm, attributed to David when the Philistines captured him at Gath, reflects his feelings during the period described in 1 Samuel 27.
Proverbs 29:25: "The fear of man will form a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be put on high retreat." - It relates to David's decision to seek refuge among the Philistines out of fear of Saul.
2 Corinthians 6:14: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what do justice and wickedness have in common? Or what communion can light have with darkness?" - It contrasts with David's alliance with Achish, the Philistine king, showing the dangers of such associations.
Psalms 118:8: "It is better to seek refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." - Offers perspective on David's choice to seek protection with the Philistines rather than fully trusting in God.
Jeremiah 17:5: "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in men, who makes mortal humanity his strength, but whose heart turns away from the Lord.'" - It warns against trusting in human protection, as David did when siding with the Philistines.
FAQ:
Why did David seek refuge among the Philistines?
David fled to Gath, a Philistine kingdom, to escape Saul. King Achish accepted him, and David lived in Ziklag, out of reach of Israel. (1 Samuel 27:1-6)
What did David do while living among the Philistines?
David attacked peoples who were enemies of Israel, but he made Achish believe that he was attacking the Israelites themselves, thus securing their trust. (1 Samuel 27:8-12)
Which city did the Philistines give to David?
King Achish gave David the city of Ziklag, where he and his men lived for more than a year. (1 Samuel 27:6-7)
How did David deceive King Achish?
David claimed to attack villages in Judah, but in reality he was destroying other tribes, ensuring that no one survived to tell the truth. (1 Samuel 27:9-11)
Why did Achish trust David?
Achish believed that David had become an enemy of Israel and would remain loyal to the Philistines. (1 Samuel 27:12)
