Despairing that Saul will eventually catch him, David flees with six hundred men to Achish king of Gath; Saul stops pursuing when David is in Philistine territory. Achish gives David Ziklag; from there David raids the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, killing all to leave no witnesses, but tells Achish he raided Judah's Negeb, deceiving him for sixteen months. Achish trusts David completely, believing David has made himself an utter stench to Israel and will be his servant forever.
Read 1 Samuel Chapter 27 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Samuel
Last judge and prophet who anointed both Saul and David as kings
Saul
First king of Israel, whose disobedience led to his rejection by God
David
Shepherd boy anointed as future king, man after God's own heart
Jonathan
Saul's son who became David's closest friend despite the rivalry
Hannah
Samuel's mother who prayed for a son and dedicated him to God
Judah
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
Places in This Chapter
Gath
View on MapGath was one of the five major Philistine cities and the home of Goliath, the giant warrior who defied Israel. David fled to Gath to escape Saul and pretended to be insane before King Achish. The city was eventually conquered by David. The phrase "Tell it not in Gath" comes from David's lament over Saul and Jonathan.
Egypt
View on MapEgypt plays a significant role throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the flight of the Holy Family. Joseph was sold into slavery there and rose to become second to Pharaoh, saving his family during famine. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses in the Exodus. Jesus' family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Position in Book
Samuel's MinistryChapters 1-7
Saul's ReignChapters 8-15
David's RiseChapters 16-31
David anointed, defeats Goliath, friendship with Jonathan, flees from Saul, Saul's death in battle.