1 Samuel 27
He Went Over to the Enemy to Stay Alive
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David Goes Over to Achish
27:1David said in his heart, “Now I shall be added one day into Saul’s hands. There is no good for me unless I escape to the foreigners’ land and Saul gives up seeking me throughout Israel’s territory. I shall escape from his hand.”
27:2David and the four hundred men with him rose and went to Achish son of Ammach, king of Gath.
27:3David stayed with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each with his household; David with both his wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite and Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
27:4It was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath, and he no longer sought him.
Ziklag Given to David
27:5David said to Achish, “If your servant has found favor in your eyes, please let them give me a place in one of the country towns, and I will stay there. Why should your servant stay with you in a royal city?”
27:6He gave him Ziklag that day. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the king of Judea to this day.
27:7The number of days David stayed in the foreigners’ country was four months.
The Raids from Ziklag
27:8David and his men went up and attacked all the Gesiri and the Amalekite. Look, the land—from Gelampsour as far as the land of Egypt—was inhabited with suitable fortified settlements.
27:9He struck the land and left neither man nor woman alive. He took flocks, herds, donkeys, camels, and clothing, and they returned and came to Achish.
27:10Achish said to David, “Whom have you attacked today?” David said to Achish, “The south of Judea, the south of Jesmega, and the south of Kenezi.”
27:11He left neither man nor woman alive to bring to Gath, saying, “Let them not report to Gath against us, saying, ‘This is what David does.’” This was his established practice all the days David stayed in the foreigners’ country.
27:12David was greatly trusted with Achish, saying, “He has made himself utterly shamed among his people Israel, and he will be my slave forever.”
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.