1 Samuel 27:1-12
Q.1. Why did David and his men settle in Gath? What request did he make from king Achish? How did David survive at Ziglag? Why did they leave no survivors? Was Achish happy? – (1 Sam.27:1-12)
Though David had spared Saul’s life on two occasions, he could not trust the unstable king. Besides, Saul had given no assurance that he would not kill David (1 Sam.26:21 & 25). David probably figured that he would be safer with Saul’s enemies (1 Sam.23:26-28). How he managed to gain access to Gath (Goliath’s terrain) with the king’s son, Achish, we are not told. Though David had previously fought against the Philistines, nevertheless he was trusted for his integrity. He and his wives and his companions retreated to Gath, so Saul no longer hunted for David there (1 Sam.27:1-4). David did not feel altogether safe in Gath, and persuaded Achish to give him his own city for his band of followers (1 Sam.27:5-6). [So great was his impact on the city of Ziglag, that it never returned to the Philistines, but belonged to the kings of Judah]. David survived by fighting Israel’s enemies (1 Sam.27:8). David could be criticized for deceiving Achish about his exploits among the surrounding tribes. However, he had to be careful because he was in enemy territory (1 Sam.27:10-12). David covered his tracks and claimed to be fighting his own people (1 Sam.27:9-10). It comforted Achish to believe that the great warrior David was odious to his own nation (1 Sam.27:12). However, it must be said that David was loyal to Achish, and they enjoyed a deep friendship. David was a man of his day and was involved in all the horrors of warfare. There was constant fighting amongst the nations, and this was the reason Israel sought to be like the other nations and have their own king (1 Sam.8:19-20; 2 Sam.11:1).