Chapter 27
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1And 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.
2And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
3And 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.
4And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
5And 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?
6Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
7And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
8And 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.
9And 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.
10And 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.
11And 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.
12And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
“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.”
Overview
David concludes that Saul will eventually kill him and decides to flee to Philistine territory. He goes to King Achish of Gath with his 600 men and is given the city of Ziklag. David lives among the Philistines for sixteen months, raiding Israel's enemies while deceiving Achish into believing he raids Israelite towns. David leaves no survivors to expose his deception. Achish trusts David completely, believing he has made himself an enemy of Israel forever.
Key Themes
Faith at Low Ebb
David's decision to flee to the Philistines reveals a moment of despair — saying in his heart 'I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul' contradicts God's promises.
The Web of Deception
David's sustained deception of Achish — raiding one group while claiming to raid another — creates an increasingly dangerous web that will soon reach a crisis point.
Living in Enemy Territory
David's residence among the Philistines creates spiritual and political complications, illustrating the danger of seeking refuge in places opposed to God's purposes.
Study Questions
What does David's decision to flee to the Philistines reveal about his spiritual state at this point?
How does David's sustained deception of Achish create problems for his future?
Is David's raiding of Israel's enemies while living among the Philistines justified, or does it represent compromise?
What does this chapter teach about the danger of making decisions based on fear rather than faith?
How does God continue to work through David's flawed decisions to advance His purposes?
Connection to Christ
David's period of exile among Israel's enemies, living in deception and despair, highlights the imperfection of even the 'man after God's own heart.' This honest portrayal of David's weakness makes the need for a perfect King all the more clear. Christ, unlike David, never wavered in faith, never resorted to deception, and never sought refuge with the enemy — He faced every trial in perfect dependence on the Father.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through 1 Samuel 27. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?