1 Samuel 27:11 Meaning and Explanation
“And 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →David leaves no survivors who could report the truth to Gath, keeping his real targets hidden from Achish.
What Does 1 Samuel 27:11 Mean?
The narrator explains the strategy behind the slaughter: no survivor could travel to Gath to contradict David's account. The silence of the dead becomes the guarantee of his cover story before the Philistine king.
Here the cost of David's deception is laid bare. To preserve a false impression he ensures no voice survives to tell the truth. The text reports this without praise, letting its weight rest on the conscience. The account refuses to make David a flawless hero, and in that honesty it deepens our longing for the King whose kingdom would be built not on concealment but on light.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 27:11
What does 1 Samuel 27:11 mean?
David leaves no survivors who could report the truth to Gath, keeping his real targets hidden from Achish.