- 1And 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.
- 5 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?
- 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.
- 8 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.
- 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.
KING JAMES VERSION
1 SAMUEL 27
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CHAPTER VISUAL
1 Samuel 27 — David seeks safety under Achish at Ziklag and survives through raids concealed by calculated reports.
About this illustration
The frontier settlement and divided roads visualize David’s morally complicated refuge. Raids are kept distant and non-graphic, and the image does not present deception or destruction as uncomplicated triumph.
Scripture basis: 1 Samuel 27:1–12King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
Sermons
The Place of Dragons
In “The Place of Dragons,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about grace and mercy, David’s example, gratitude. Drawing especially from 1 Samuel 27, Matthew 24, John 6:66, the teaching emphasizes that God’s grace forgives and also trains believers to leave sin and live in obedience. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that David’s choices are used to examine leadership, testing, repentance, and renewed dependence on God.
Spiritual Warfare
View sermon Ziklag
In “Ziklag,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about David’s example, prayer, Saul’s example. Drawing especially from Proverbs 18, 1 Thessalonians 5, 1 Samuel 23, 1 Samuel 22, the teaching emphasizes that David’s choices are used to examine leadership, testing, repentance, and renewed dependence on God. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that prayer expresses dependence on God and prepares believers to hear and obey Him.
Doctrine and DiscernmentSpiritual Warfare
View sermon