1 Samuel 27:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer sought him.

NIV: When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

NASB: Now it was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he no longer searched for him.

CSB: When it was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

NLT: Word soon reached Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he stopped hunting for him.

KJV: And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

NKJV: And it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath; so he sought him no more.

First Samuel 27:1–4 records David finding safety with the enemy. David had fled from Saul to King Achish of Gath before. Achish's servants feared the Israelite who had killed "his ten thousands," and David had to play insane to escape (1 Samuel 21:10–15). Now, Achish knows Saul hates David, and welcomes him, his men, and their families. David is relieved that Saul has stopped chasing them and will ask for an obscure city for his people to settle in (1 Samuel 27:5–7).

David takes his people to safety. Convinced that Saul will eventually kill him, David asks the king of the Philistine city of Gath to provide protection for him, his men, and their families. Achish agrees and eventually gives David the town of Ziklag. From there, David and his men conduct raids on Israel's enemies and bring the king some of the plunder. David tells the king he has been attacking the people of Israel and their allies, and Achish believes the lie, growing to trust David fully. Even better, Saul stops hunting them.

After being hunted by King Saul (1 Samuel 24—26), David finds safety with the Philistines. Saul will never stop trying to kill him, but King Achish of Gath is willing to give David and his people a city of their own. Achish trusts David so much he brings David and his men to fight the Israelites. David goes willingly, but the other Philistine kings refuse to fight with the man who killed so many of them. David's unit returns to find their city burned and their wives and children taken. While they rescue their families, Saul and Jonathan die in battle with the Philistines (1 Samuel 29—31).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 9/17/2025 11:19:15 PM