David Flees to the Philistines

1 Samuel 27:1-28:6

Bible Stories

1 Samuel 27:1 And David said in his heart: “At some time, I will one day fall into the hands of Saul. Is it not better if I flee, and be saved in the land of the Philistines, so that Saul may despair and cease to seek me in all the parts of Israel? Therefore, I will flee away from his hands.”

1 Samuel 27:2 And David rose up and went away, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish, the son of Maoch, the king of Gath.

1 Samuel 27:3 And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men: each man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam, the Jezreelite, and Abigail, the wife of Nabal of Carmel.

1 Samuel 27:4 And it was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath. And so, he did not continue to seek him.

1 Samuel 27:5 And David said to Achish: “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be given to me in one of the cities of this region, so that I may live there. For why should your servant stay in the city of the king with you?”

1 Samuel 27:6 And so, Achish gave Ziklag to him on that day. And for this reason, Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah, even to this day.

1 Samuel 27:7 Now the number of days that David lived in the region of the Philistines was four months.

1 Samuel 27:8 And David and his men went up and took plunder from Geshuri, and from Girzi, and from the Amalekites. For in the land long ago, these were the inhabitants of the area, going from Shur as far as the land of Egypt.

1 Samuel 27:9 And David struck the entire land. Neither did he leave alive man or woman. And he took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the donkeys, and the camels, and the garments. And he returned and went to Achish.

1 Samuel 27:10 Then Achish said to him, “Whom did you go out against today?” And David responded, “Against the south of Judah, and against the south of Jerahmeel, and against the south of Keni.”

1 Samuel 27:11 Neither man nor woman was left alive by David. Neither did he lead back any of them to Gath, saying, “Lest perhaps they may speak against us.” David did these things. And this was his decision during all the days that he lived in the region of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 27:12 Therefore, Achish trusted David, saying: “He has worked much harm against his people Israel. And so, he will be a servant to me forever.”

1 Samuel 28:1 Now it happened that, in those days, the Philistines gathered together their troops, so that they might be prepared for war against Israel. And Achish said to David, “I know now, certainly, that you will go out with me to war, you and your men.”

1 Samuel 28:2 And David said to Achish, “You know now what your servant will do.” And Achish said to David, “And so, I will appoint you to guard my head for all days.”

1 Samuel 28:3 Now Samuel was dead, and all of Israel mourned for him, and they buried him in Ramah, his city. And Saul took away the magi and soothsayers from the land.

1 Samuel 28:4 And the Philistines gathered together, and they arrived and made camp at Shunem. Then Saul also gathered all of Israel, and he arrived at Gilboa.

1 Samuel 28:5 And Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, and he was afraid, and his heart was exceedingly terrified.

1 Samuel 28:6 And he consulted the Lord. But he did not respond to him, neither by dreams, nor by priests, nor by prophets.