1 Samuel 27:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And 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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →David asks Achish for a country town to live in rather than remaining in the royal capital.
What Does 1 Samuel 27:5 Mean?
Speaking courteously as a vassal, David requests a town away from Gath itself. His stated reason is humility, but a settlement at a distance also gives him freedom to act unobserved by the Philistine king.
The request shows David's shrewdness in a dangerous position, gaining room to breathe within another man's kingdom. Wisdom and risk sit close together here. The narrative does not pause to praise or blame; it simply lets us watch a man maneuver, and it quietly raises the question every reader must answer for himself about where safety is sought and at what cost to the truth.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 27:5
What does 1 Samuel 27:5 mean?
David asks Achish for a country town to live in rather than remaining in the royal capital.