1 Samuel 27

David, fearing he would eventually perish by Saul's hand, sought refuge with his six hundred men in the land of the Philistines, specifically with Achish, king of Gath. Achish granted David the city of Ziklag, where he resided for a year and four months. During this time, David secretly raided traditional enemies of Israel, such as the Geshurites and Amalekites, while deceiving Achish into believing he was attacking Judah.

Believing his life was in constant peril from Saul, David decided to escape into the land of the Philistines, reasoning that Saul would then cease his pursuit. He and his six hundred men, along with their households, went to Gath and were received by King Achish. David requested a separate dwelling place, and Achish granted him the city of Ziklag, where they lived for a year and four months. During this period, David led raids against the Geshurites, Gezrites, and Amalekites, utterly destroying them and taking their spoils. David ensured no one survived these attacks to prevent his true targets from being revealed. When questioned by Achish, David falsely claimed to have raided the southern parts of Judah and its allied groups. Achish, believing David had alienated himself from Israel, concluded that David would be his perpetual servant.

Chapter 27 commences with David's internal conviction that his life was ultimately at risk from Saul, prompting him to conclude that his only viable option was to flee into the land of the Philistines. He reasoned that such a move would cause Saul to abandon his relentless pursuit throughout Israel. Consequently, David, accompanied by his six hundred men and their respective households, including his two wives, journeyed to Gath and presented himself to Achish, the king. Achish permitted David and his company to dwell within his territory. News of David's flight to Gath reached Saul, who, as David had anticipated, then ceased his active search for him. David subsequently requested of Achish a dwelling place in a smaller town rather than remaining in the royal city. In response, Achish granted David the city of Ziklag, a possession that would later pertain to the kings of Judah. David and his people resided in the Philistine country for a significant period, specifically a full year and four months. During this time, David and his men undertook military expeditions, invading and smiting the Geshurites, the Gezrites, and the Amalekites, peoples identified as ancient inhabitants of the land. These raids were characterized by extreme measures, as David left neither man nor woman alive, taking only the livestock and other spoils before returning to Achish. David's rationale for this complete destruction was to prevent any survivors from reporting his true actions to Achish. When Achish inquired about the targets of David's raids, David deliberately misrepresented his actions, claiming to have attacked the southern regions of Judah, the Jerahmeelites, and the Kenites. Achish, fully believing David's deceptive account, concluded that David had irrevocably alienated himself from his own people, Israel, and would therefore remain his loyal servant indefinitely.