1. καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ λέγων νῦν προστεθήσομαι ἐν ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ εἰς χεῖρας Σαουλ καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν μοι ἀγαθόν ἐὰν μὴ σωθῶ εἰς γῆν ἀλλοφύλων καὶ ἀνῇ Σαουλ τοῦ ζητεῖν με εἰς πᾶν ὅριον Ισραηλ καὶ σωθήσομαι ἐκ χειρὸς αὐτοῦ
2. καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ τετρακόσιοι ἄνδρες μετ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπορεύθη πρὸς Αγχους υἱὸν Αμμαχ βασιλέα Γεθ
3. καὶ ἐκάθισεν Δαυιδ μετὰ Αγχους ἐν Γεθ αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ ἕκαστος καὶ ὁ οἶκος αὐτοῦ καὶ Δαυιδ καὶ ἀμφότεραι αἱ γυναῖκες αὐτοῦ Αχινααμ ἡ Ιεζραηλῖτις καὶ Αβιγαια ἡ γυνὴ Ναβαλ τοῦ Καρμηλίου
4. καὶ ἀνηγγέλη τῷ Σαουλ ὅτι πέφευγεν Δαυιδ εἰς Γεθ καὶ οὐ προσέθετο ἔτι ζητεῖν αὐτόν
5. καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αγχους εἰ δὴ εὕρηκεν ὁ δοῦλός σου χάριν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου δότωσαν δή μοι τόπον ἐν μιᾷ τῶν πόλεων τῶν κατ’ ἀγρὸν καὶ καθήσομαι ἐκεῖ καὶ ἵνα τί κάθηται ὁ δοῦλός σου ἐν πόλει βασιλευομένῃ μετὰ σοῦ
6. καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τὴν Σεκελακ διὰ τοῦτο ἐγενήθη Σεκελακ τῷ βασιλεῖ τῆς Ιουδαίας ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης
7. καὶ ἐγενήθη ὁ ἀριθμὸς τῶν ἡμερῶν ὧν ἐκάθισεν Δαυιδ ἐν ἀγρῷ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων τέσσαρας μῆνας
8. καὶ ἀνέβαινεν Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπετίθεντο ἐπὶ πάντα τὸν Γεσιρι καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Αμαληκίτην καὶ ἰδοὺ ἡ γῆ κατῳκεῖτο ἀπὸ ἀνηκόντων ἡ ἀπὸ Γελαμψουρ τετειχισμένων καὶ ἕως γῆς Αἰγύπτου
9. καὶ ἔτυπτε τὴν γῆν καὶ οὐκ ἐζωογόνει ἄνδρα καὶ γυναῖκα καὶ ἐλάμβανεν ποίμνια καὶ βουκόλια καὶ ὄνους καὶ καμήλους καὶ ἱματισμόν καὶ ἀνέστρεψαν καὶ ἤρχοντο πρὸς Αγχους
10. καὶ εἶπεν Αγχους πρὸς Δαυιδ ἐπὶ τίνα ἐπέθεσθε σήμερον καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αγχους κατὰ νότον τῆς Ιουδαίας καὶ κατὰ νότον Ιεσμεγα καὶ κατὰ νότον τοῦ Κενεζι
11. καὶ ἄνδρα καὶ γυναῖκα οὐκ ἐζωογόνησεν τοῦ εἰσαγαγεῖν εἰς Γεθ λέγων μὴ ἀναγγείλωσιν εἰς Γεθ καθ’ ἡμῶν λέγοντες τάδε Δαυιδ ποιεῖ καὶ τόδε τὸ δικαίωμα αὐτοῦ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἃς ἐκάθητο Δαυιδ ἐν ἀγρῷ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων
12. καὶ ἐπιστεύθη Δαυιδ ἐν τῷ Αγχους σφόδρα λέγων ᾔσχυνται αἰσχυνόμενος ἐν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ ἐν Ισραηλ καὶ ἔσται μοι δοῦλος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα
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)
