I Samuel 27 Commentary: David's Deception and God's Providence
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.
And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
And 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.
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
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?
Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
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.
And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
I Samuel 27 marks a pivotal point in David's journey, a chapter filled with strategic maneuvering, deception, and the subtle hand of God working behind the scenes. Fearing Saul's relentless pursuit, David makes a calculated decision that seems, on the surface, to contradict everything we know about his faith and integrity. Let's delve into the complexities of this chapter and uncover the lessons it holds for us today.
Fleeing to the Enemy (I Samuel 27:1-4)
Convinced that no place in Israel offered sanctuary from Saul's wrath, David takes the extraordinary step of seeking refuge in the land of the Philistines – specifically, with Achish, the king of Gath (I Samuel 27:1-2). This is the very same Achish from whom David had previously escaped by feigning madness (I Samuel 21:10-15). Why would David return to such a dangerous place?
Perhaps the relentless pressure of leadership, providing for six hundred men and their families in the harsh wilderness, weighed heavily on him (I Samuel 27:3). Desperate times can lead to desperate measures. His decision, though questionable, highlights the immense burden David carried.
Remarkably, David's arrival in Gath had the desired effect: Saul ceased his pursuit (I Samuel 27:4). This immediately showcases God's providential hand, even in what appears to be a compromised situation. God uses even our imperfect decisions to accomplish His purposes.
A Vassal in Ziklag (I Samuel 27:5-6)
Achish, believing David to be a permanent enemy of Saul and therefore a valuable ally, grants him and his men the city of Ziklag as a place to settle (I Samuel 27:5-6). Ziklag, located about thirteen miles north of Beersheba in the Negev desert, becomes David's base of operations for the next sixteen months.
In essence, Achish is making David his vassal, expecting loyalty and service in their ongoing conflict with Israel. David, outwardly, appears to comply, pledging allegiance to Achish – or so the Philistine king believes.
Deception and Raids (I Samuel 27:7-11)
While seemingly serving Achish, David has a different agenda. He desires to be away from Gath, away from the constant scrutiny of the king, so he can operate with greater freedom (I Samuel 27:7). From Ziklag, David and his men launch raids, not against Israel, but against various desert tribes, including the Amalekites, ancient enemies of Israel (I Samuel 27:8).
To maintain his facade, David ensures that no one survives these raids to report his true activities to Achish (I Samuel 27:11). When Achish inquires about his activities, David deceives him, claiming to be raiding his own people in Judah (I Samuel 27:10). This deception is troubling, highlighting a moral compromise in David's actions.
A False Sense of Security (I Samuel 27:12)
Achish completely buys into David's deception (I Samuel 27:12). He believes that David has made himself so repulsive to his own people that he will be forever bound to serve the Philistines. Achish sees David and his men as loyal comrades, obligated to fight alongside them against Israel.
This sets the stage for a dramatic conflict of interest. Achish expects David to fight against his own people, a situation that will force David to make a critical decision. The chapter ends on a note of suspense, leaving us wondering how David will navigate this treacherous path.
Key Takeaways from I Samuel 27
- Desperate Measures: The chapter reveals the pressure and desperation that can drive even the most faithful individuals to make questionable choices.
- God's Sovereignty: Despite David's deception, God's hand is evident in protecting him and using the situation for His purposes.
- Moral Compromise: David's deception serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of compromising our integrity, even in difficult circumstances.
- The Complexity of Leadership: The chapter illustrates the immense burden and moral dilemmas faced by leaders, particularly in times of crisis.
I Samuel 27 presents a complex and nuanced portrait of David, highlighting both his strengths and his weaknesses. It is a reminder that even great figures of faith can stumble and make mistakes. However, it also affirms God's unwavering sovereignty and His ability to work through imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will. The chapter leaves us pondering the moral implications of David's actions and anticipating the challenges that lie ahead as he navigates the treacherous landscape of Philistine politics. The story continues in I Samuel 28 where we see Saul consults a medium.
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.
And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
And 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.
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
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?
Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
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.
And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
I Samuel 27 marks a pivotal point in David's journey, a chapter filled with strategic maneuvering, deception, and the subtle hand of God working behind the scenes. Fearing Saul's relentless pursuit, David makes a calculated decision that seems, on the surface, to contradict everything we know about his faith and integrity. Let's delve into the complexities of this chapter and uncover the lessons it holds for us today.
Fleeing to the Enemy (I Samuel 27:1-4)
Convinced that no place in Israel offered sanctuary from Saul's wrath, David takes the extraordinary step of seeking refuge in the land of the Philistines – specifically, with Achish, the king of Gath (I Samuel 27:1-2). This is the very same Achish from whom David had previously escaped by feigning madness (I Samuel 21:10-15). Why would David return to such a dangerous place?
Perhaps the relentless pressure of leadership, providing for six hundred men and their families in the harsh wilderness, weighed heavily on him (I Samuel 27:3). Desperate times can lead to desperate measures. His decision, though questionable, highlights the immense burden David carried.
Remarkably, David's arrival in Gath had the desired effect: Saul ceased his pursuit (I Samuel 27:4). This immediately showcases God's providential hand, even in what appears to be a compromised situation. God uses even our imperfect decisions to accomplish His purposes.
A Vassal in Ziklag (I Samuel 27:5-6)
Achish, believing David to be a permanent enemy of Saul and therefore a valuable ally, grants him and his men the city of Ziklag as a place to settle (I Samuel 27:5-6). Ziklag, located about thirteen miles north of Beersheba in the Negev desert, becomes David's base of operations for the next sixteen months.
In essence, Achish is making David his vassal, expecting loyalty and service in their ongoing conflict with Israel. David, outwardly, appears to comply, pledging allegiance to Achish – or so the Philistine king believes.
Deception and Raids (I Samuel 27:7-11)
While seemingly serving Achish, David has a different agenda. He desires to be away from Gath, away from the constant scrutiny of the king, so he can operate with greater freedom (I Samuel 27:7). From Ziklag, David and his men launch raids, not against Israel, but against various desert tribes, including the Amalekites, ancient enemies of Israel (I Samuel 27:8).
To maintain his facade, David ensures that no one survives these raids to report his true activities to Achish (I Samuel 27:11). When Achish inquires about his activities, David deceives him, claiming to be raiding his own people in Judah (I Samuel 27:10). This deception is troubling, highlighting a moral compromise in David's actions.
A False Sense of Security (I Samuel 27:12)
Achish completely buys into David's deception (I Samuel 27:12). He believes that David has made himself so repulsive to his own people that he will be forever bound to serve the Philistines. Achish sees David and his men as loyal comrades, obligated to fight alongside them against Israel.
This sets the stage for a dramatic conflict of interest. Achish expects David to fight against his own people, a situation that will force David to make a critical decision. The chapter ends on a note of suspense, leaving us wondering how David will navigate this treacherous path.
Key Takeaways from I Samuel 27
- Desperate Measures: The chapter reveals the pressure and desperation that can drive even the most faithful individuals to make questionable choices.
- God's Sovereignty: Despite David's deception, God's hand is evident in protecting him and using the situation for His purposes.
- Moral Compromise: David's deception serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of compromising our integrity, even in difficult circumstances.
- The Complexity of Leadership: The chapter illustrates the immense burden and moral dilemmas faced by leaders, particularly in times of crisis.
I Samuel 27 presents a complex and nuanced portrait of David, highlighting both his strengths and his weaknesses. It is a reminder that even great figures of faith can stumble and make mistakes. However, it also affirms God's unwavering sovereignty and His ability to work through imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will. The chapter leaves us pondering the moral implications of David's actions and anticipating the challenges that lie ahead as he navigates the treacherous landscape of Philistine politics. The story continues in I Samuel 28 where we see Saul consults a medium.