1 Samuel 27:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we see, first, the strength of David’s fear, which came from weak faith (1 Samuel 27:1). He spoke to himself, as the Hebrew sense suggests, and reasoned with his own heart about his situation: “I will die one day by Saul’s hand.” He thought about Saul’s relentless hatred, the treachery of his own countrymen, such as the Ziphites, and the small size of his own band. Since no new men had joined him for a long time, and he saw no sign of progress, he sank into gloom and drew this dark conclusion.

But, O man of little faith, why did he doubt? Was he not already anointed to be king? That anointing meant that God had given him a promise of preservation until he reached the throne. David had no reason to trust Saul’s promises, but he had every reason to trust God’s promises. His past experience of God’s careful protection should have encouraged him. The God who had delivered him before would keep delivering him. Yet unbelief is a sin that easily clings even to good people. When dangers press from the outside and fears rise inside, it is hard to rise above them. “Lord, increase our faith!”

Second, we see the decision David made after that. Since Saul had, for the moment, gone back to his home, David decided to use the chance to withdraw into Philistine land. He consulted only his own heart, not the ephod, the priestly garment used for seeking God’s guidance, or the prophet. He concluded, “There is nothing better for me than to escape quickly to the land of the Philistines.” Long trials can wear down the faith and patience even of very good people.

Saul was an enemy to himself and to his kingdom when he drove David to this point. He weakened his own power by pushing out such a great commander and such a brave company of soldiers into the service of his enemies. David also was not acting wisely in taking this path. God had appointed him to raise his standard in Judah (1 Samuel 22:5), and there God had wonderfully protected him and used him for his country’s good. Why then should he think of leaving the place where God had put him? How could he expect the protection of the God of Israel if he went outside the borders of Israel? And could he really expect safety among the Philistines, from whose hands he had so narrowly escaped by pretending to be mad?

He would also be receiving favors from people to whom he could not later return the same kindness. When he became king, he would have to make war on them. This would give his enemies room to say, “Go and serve other gods,” and that would leave his friends with no answer to the insult. We can see how much we need to pray, “Do not lead us into temptation.”

Third, we see the kind welcome David received at Gath, a Philistine city. Achish, the Philistine king, welcomed him partly out of generosity, since he was proud to host such a brave man, and partly out of policy, hoping to keep David in his service forever and to draw more deserters after him. No doubt Achish gave David a serious promise of protection, and David could rely on it, even though Saul’s promises had proved worthless.

It is shameful to think that a Philistine’s word could go farther than an Israelite’s word, if that Israelite were truly a man of integrity. It is also shameful that the city of Gath could become a refuge for a good man when the cities of Israel would not give him a safe place to stay. David brought his men with him, so they could guard him and be safe where he was. It also helped him win Achish’s favor, since Achish hoped to gain service from them too. He also brought his family, his wives, and his household, and his men did the same. Heads of households should care for those entrusted to them, protect and provide for those in their homes, and live with wisdom and understanding.

Fourth, we see Saul stop pursuing David any farther (1 Samuel 27:4). This suggests that even after Saul had spoken of repentance, he would have struck David again if he had had the chance. Since he could not reach him, he gave up. In the same way, many people seem to leave their sins, while in truth their sins leave them. They would keep going in them if they still could. Saul was content to let David remain in exile, since he could not get his blood. Perhaps he also hoped, as he had earlier (1 Samuel 18:25), that David would someday fall by the hand of the Philistines. He would have preferred to kill David himself, but if the Philistines did it, that would satisfy him, as long as it was done fully.

Fifth, we see David’s move from Gath to Ziklag. His request for permission to move was both wise and very humble (1 Samuel 27:5). It was wise because David knew what it meant to be envied in Saul’s court, and he had even more reason to fear in Achish’s court. So he did not seek higher honor there. He wanted a place in the country, where he could live quietly, keep more to himself, and interfere less with others. In a town of his own, he could worship more freely, keep his men steadier in religion, and spare his righteous soul the pain of the Philistines’ idolatry, which had troubled him at Gath.

His request was also very humble in the way he presented it to Achish. He did not tell Achish what place to give him. He only asked for some town in the country, wherever Achish pleased, since beggars should not choose. He gave a simple reason, “Why should your servant live in the royal city and burden you or trouble those around you?” Those who want to stand firm must not be eager to stand high. Humble people do not aim to live in royal cities.

Achish’s grant of the request was generous and kind (1 Samuel 27:6, 7). He gave David Ziklag. By this, Israel recovered an old right, because Ziklag had belonged to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:31) and later was assigned to Simeon (Joshua 19:5). It may never have been fully subdued, or the Philistines may have seized it in war. Perhaps they had gained it unjustly, and Achish, being sensible and honorable, used this moment to restore it. The righteous God judges rightly.

David also gained a useful place to live, not only far from Gath but also near Israel. From there he could keep contact with his own people, and they could gather to him when the great change came that was now drawing near. We do not find that his force grew at all while Saul was still alive, since later we read that he had only his six hundred men (1 Samuel 30:10). But right after Saul’s death, Ziklag became the meeting place for his friends.

It seems that while David kept out of sight because of Saul, many people still came to him. They came, at least, to show that they were truly loyal to him (1 Chronicles 12:1-22). David also gained another benefit: Ziklag was added to the kingdom, or at least it later belonged to the kings of Judah (1 Samuel 27:6).

There is nothing lost by humility, modesty, and a willingness to step back. Real gain often comes to those who give up the chase for empty honor. David stayed there for some days, even four months, as 1 Samuel 27:7 may be read, or a little more than four months. The Septuagint reads “some months.” He waited that long for the right time to receive the throne, for the one who believes will not act in panic.