1 Samuel 27
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Samuel 27
NJB (MT versing) David Flees to the Philistines David Allied with the Philistines David Becomes a Vassal of the Philistines David Among the Philistines David Takes Refuge at Gath 27:1-4 27:1-4 27:1-4 27:1-4 27:1-4 David As a Vassal of the Philistines 27:5-7 27:5-7 27:5-7 27:5-7 27:5-7 27:8-12 27:8-12 27:8-12 27:8-12 27:8-12 Etc.
1 Samuel 27:1-4
27:1 "said to himself" This is literally "in his heart" (cf. Gen. 8:21; 24:45; 1 Sam. 1:13). David was planning how to live outside Israel. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART ▣ "Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul" This is a surprising statement in light of David's trust in YHWH and YHWH's numerous deliverances. One wonders if this episode of Philistine service was YHWH's will. The events of vv. 9,11 make me think not. 27:2 "Gath" This was one of five city-states of the Philistines. 27:3 Michal was still with her second husband (cf. 1 Sam. 25:44).
1 Samuel 27:5-7
27:5 David and his men were expensive for Achish to house and feed. David plays on this burden for his own city, out of the sight of his Philistine patron. 27:6 "Ziklag" This was a small town in southern Judah (a few miles northeast of Beer-sheba). Originally it was in the tribal allocation of Simeon but this tribe was incorporated into Judah very early. ▣ "to this day" This is a literary marker of a later editor (cf. 1 Sam. 5:5; 6:18; 30:25; 2 Sam. 4:3; 6:8; 18:18). Notice the added phrase "the kings of Judah."
1 Samuel 27:8-12
27:8 David raided Israel's enemies on her southern border (v. 8) but told Achish he had raided southern Judah (cf. v. 11). ▣ "the Girzites" This people group (BDB 173) occurs only here. This name is omitted in the LXX. The Peshitta has "Gadolites." The TEV assumes it is people from a city named "Girzi" (unknown). ▣ "from ancient times" NKJV, Peshitta "from of old" NRSV, NJB "from Telam" "a very long time" "from Telaim" "from the region of Olam" "from Gelampsur" The UBS Text Project, p. 200, does not support the MT's "from of old," but suggests "from Telam" with a "C" rating (considerable doubt). A city by a similar name occurs in 1 Sam. 15:4, "Telaim" ("lambs") Josh. 15:24, "Telem" ("a lamb") 27:9 This verse is shocking in its brutality. It was not a holy war situation but a raid. Apparently it was done so that there were no witnesses (cf. v. 11). ANE warfare was brutal and without pity! 27:10 NASB, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB, Peshitta "Where" NRSV, Targums, DSS, LXX, Josephus, Vulgate "whom" The MT has "not" (אל) but this is probably a scribal error for "where" (אן). The UBS Text Project, p. 201, gives the MT ("not") a "C" rating (considerable doubt). Achish wants to make sure David is loyal. If he is attacking Israeli settlements this would prove it (v. 12). So David lies! 27:11 See note at 1 Sam. 27:9. 27:12 "surely made himself odious" This is the intensified form of an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and a PERFECT tense VERB from the same root (BDB 92, KB 107, Hiphil). David sent some of the spoils of his victories (v. 8) to the very towns he told Achish he was raiding (cf. 1 Sam. 30:29). David wanted the people of Judah to know he was their friend. ▣ "forever" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam).