1 Samuel 27:2

KJV

And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that [were] with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} arose {H6965}, and he passed over {H5674} with the six {H8337} hundred {H3967} men {H376} that were with him unto Achish {H397}, the son {H1121} of Maoch {H4582}, king {H4428} of Gath {H1661}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So David set out with his six hundred men and passed on to Akhish the son of Ma'okh, king of Gat.

Berean Standard Bible

So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.

American Standard Version

And David arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men that were with him, unto Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 27:2 chronicles a pivotal and desperate decision in David's life, as he, accompanied by his six hundred loyal men, seeks refuge from King Saul's relentless pursuit by defecting to the Philistine city of Gath, ruled by King Achish. This strategic, yet humanly driven, move reflects David's weariness and fear, momentarily overshadowing his reliance on divine protection, and initiates a complex period of exile among Israel's traditional enemies, setting the stage for significant developments in his journey toward kingship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows David's second opportunity to kill King Saul in the wilderness of Ziph, an act of mercy and faith recounted in [1 Samuel 26](/1_samuel/26 "1 Samuel 26 - David Spares Saul Again in the Wilderness"). Despite David's profound demonstration of loyalty and his unwavering trust in God's timing, Saul's pursuit remained relentless and unyielding. [1 Samuel 27:1](/1_samuel/27-1 "1 Samuel 27:1 - David's Despair and Decision") reveals David's internal struggle and his conclusion that he would "perish one day by the hand of Saul" if he remained in Israelite territory. This desperate, human assessment, rather than a divine command, propels his drastic decision to abandon Judah and seek asylum with the Philistines, Israel's long-standing and formidable adversaries. This strategic retreat sets the narrative trajectory for David's extended stay in Philistine land, particularly in Ziklag ([1 Samuel 27:6](/1_samuel/27-6 "1 Samuel 27:6 - David Given Ziklag")), and his complex, morally ambiguous relationship with King Achish, which will have profound implications for the unfolding history of Israel, ultimately leading to the climactic battle on Mount Gilboa where Saul meets his tragic end ([1 Samuel 31](/1_samuel/31 "1 Samuel 31 - The Death of Saul and His Sons")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Philistines were a powerful, non-Semitic people who had established a formidable presence on the southwestern coast of Canaan, frequently engaging in military and political clashes with the Israelites for regional dominance. Gath, one of their five principal city-states (alongside Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gaza), was renowned for its military strength and strategic importance, notably as the home of Goliath ([1 Samuel 17:4](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath of Gath")). The practice of seeking asylum with a foreign king was a recognized, though often perilous, strategy in the ancient Near East for individuals or groups fleeing persecution, political rivals, or famine. David's previous, near-fatal encounter with Achish in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10-15 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David Feigns Madness Before Achish"), where he feigned madness to escape, adds a layer of audacity and calculated risk to his return. His decision to bring "six hundred men" and their families signifies not merely a temporary hideout but a complete, long-term defection, indicating the severe and sustained political and military pressures he faced from King Saul, making a return to Judah seemingly impossible at this juncture.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Desperation and Human Strategy:** Despite being a man of profound faith and courage, David reaches a point of deep weariness and fear, as explicitly articulated in [1 Samuel 27:1](/1_samuel/27-1 "1 Samuel 27:1 - David's Despair"). His decision to flee to the Philistines, Israel's traditional enemies, reflects a moment of human weakness and a temporary lapse in trusting God's immediate and miraculous protection, despite numerous past deliverances (e.g., God's consistent protection in the wilderness, as seen in [1 Samuel 23:14](/1_samuel/23-14 "1 Samuel 23:14 - God's Protection of David")). This highlights the profound reality that even heroes of faith, under prolonged stress, can experience moments of doubt and resort to human ingenuity.
* **Seeking Refuge vs. Divine Protection:** David's act of seeking political asylum with Achish starkly highlights his precarious situation and the political realities of the time. It also presents a profound tension between human strategizing and divine sovereignty. While David's fear and pragmatic assessment led him to Gath, the overarching narrative of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel "1 Samuel - The Rise of David") consistently demonstrates God's continued faithfulness and unwavering protection, even through David's imperfect and sometimes morally ambiguous choices.
* **God's Overruling Providence:** Even in David's seemingly flawed and fear-driven decision, God's overarching and sovereign providence is strikingly evident. This period of exile among the Philistines, though born of David's fear and a temporary lack of faith, serves as a crucial stage in his preparation for kingship. It allows him to operate independently of Saul, consolidate his growing forces, gain invaluable experience in leadership and warfare, and remain safe from Saul's direct pursuit. Ultimately, this unconventional detour shapes him into the wise, experienced, and politically astute leader God intended him to be, demonstrating God's capacity to work through human imperfection to achieve His divine purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **David (Hebrew, _Dâvid'_):** From the same root as `dôd` (meaning "loving" or "beloved"), David is identified as the youngest son of Jesse. Here, the name signifies not just an individual but the divinely chosen, anointed king-in-waiting, whose actions, even when driven by fear, are central to God's unfolding plan. His identity as "loving" or "beloved" here stands in ironic tension with his desperate flight to an enemy.
* **Achish (Hebrew, _ʼĂkîysh'_):** A Philistine king, specifically of Gath, whose derivation is uncertain but who serves as a significant non-Israelite figure in David's exile. Achish represents the foreign power to whom David appeals for refuge, highlighting the extreme nature of David's circumstances and his willingness to compromise by aligning himself with Israel's enemies for self-preservation.
* **Gath (Hebrew, _Gaṯ'_):** One of the five major Philistine city-states, and notoriously the hometown of Goliath. David's choice of Gath as a refuge is laden with dramatic irony, as it is the very place from which he delivered Israel by slaying its most famous champion. His return here underscores the depth of his desperation and the perceived safety from Saul's relentless pursuit, despite the inherent dangers of living among his arch-enemies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David arose, and he passed over":** This opening phrase signifies a decisive and intentional act of departure. The verb "passed over" (עָבַר, _ʿāḇar_) denotes crossing a significant boundary, moving from the familiar, albeit hostile, Israelite territory into foreign, enemy land. It emphasizes the gravity and perceived finality of David's choice to leave Judah and seek asylum, highlighting his commitment to this drastic measure born of desperation.
* **"with the six hundred men that [were] with him":** This clause underscores David's established leadership and the unwavering loyalty of his growing contingent of followers. These men, who had joined him in his wilderness wanderings, along with their families (implied by the subsequent need for a settled refuge like Ziklag), were entirely dependent on David for their safety and provision. Their substantial number highlights the significant political and military implications of David's defection to Achish, representing a considerable force leaving Saul's sphere of influence.
* **"unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath":** This specifies David's precise destination and the specific ruler he sought protection from. Achish is formally identified by his lineage ("the son of Maoch") and his royal title ("king of Gath"), emphasizing his authority and the formal, political nature of David's appeal for asylum. The choice of Gath, a stronghold of Israel's enemies and the infamous home of Goliath, is deeply ironic given David's past, further emphasizing the desperate, unconventional, and morally complex nature of his decision.

#### Literary Devices
**Irony** is a profoundly prominent literary device in this verse. David, the very hero who famously slew Goliath of Gath and delivered Israel from Philistine oppression, now seeks refuge in Goliath's hometown, under the protection of its king, Achish. This stark reversal of roles and expectations underscores the depth of David's desperation and the precariousness of his situation, highlighting the unexpected and often paradoxical turns in his journey towards kingship. The narrative also employs **Foreshadowing**, as David's extended period among the Philistines will prove to be a crucial, albeit ethically ambiguous, period of preparation for his eventual reign, allowing him to consolidate his power, gain valuable experience in strategic maneuvering, and remain safe from Saul's direct pursuit. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Juxtaposition** between David's previous unwavering reliance on divine protection during his wilderness wanderings and his current reliance on a human, pragmatic, and fear-driven strategy, illustrating the ongoing tension between faith and fear in the life of a divinely appointed leader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while detailing a pragmatic decision by David, carries significant theological weight. It profoundly illustrates the human tendency to rely on personal ingenuity and fear-driven strategies when faith falters, even for a man famously described as "after God's own heart." David's flight to Gath, an enemy land, represents a moment of spiritual weariness and a perceived abandonment of God's direct and immediate protection. Yet, the broader narrative of 1 Samuel and the subsequent books reveals God's sovereign hand at work, using even David's imperfect choices and moral compromises to further His ultimate redemptive plan. This period in Gath (and later Ziklag) allowed David to consolidate his forces, gain invaluable experience in leadership and warfare, and remain safe from Saul's pursuit, all while being prepared for his eventual kingship. It powerfully demonstrates that God's providence extends even to our detours and missteps, weaving them into His larger tapestry of redemption, reminding us that His purposes are often achieved through unconventional paths and that His faithfulness transcends our human shortcomings.

* [Psalm 34:4](/psalms/34-4 "Psalm 34:4 - David's Deliverance from Fear")
* [Psalm 56:3-4](/psalms/56-3-4 "Psalm 56:3-4 - Trusting God in Fear")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's journey to Gath serves as a powerful and sobering reminder of human frailty, even among the most devout and divinely chosen. It teaches us that faith is not a constant, unwavering state devoid of struggle, but a dynamic process that includes moments of profound doubt, overwhelming fear, and strategic missteps. In our own lives, when faced with relentless pressure, prolonged adversity, or seemingly insurmountable challenges, we too might be tempted to devise our own solutions, even if they lead us into uncomfortable, compromised, or seemingly contradictory positions. This narrative encourages us to acknowledge our fears honestly before God, but then to intentionally redirect our trust back to His unwavering character, remembering His past faithfulness and His unfailing promises. It also highlights God's incredible, persistent grace: He does not abandon us in our moments of weakness or condemn us for our imperfections, but continues to work through and despite our flaws, guiding us toward His ultimate purpose. Our detours, when eventually surrendered to His will, can become integral parts of His divine design, shaping us in ways we might not anticipate for His greater glory and our ultimate good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt so desperate or weary that you were tempted to make a decision that seemed to contradict your faith or values?**
* **How does David's momentary lapse in trust encourage or challenge your own walk with God during times of intense, prolonged pressure?**
* **In what ways might God be using your current "detour," challenging circumstances, or even past mistakes to prepare you for a future purpose or to deepen your reliance on Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did David go to Gath, of all places, given his history with Goliath?**

Answer: David's decision to go to Gath, the very hometown of Goliath whom he had famously slain ([1 Samuel 17:4](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath of Gath")), was born out of extreme and prolonged desperation. He had been relentlessly pursued by King Saul for years, living as a fugitive despite twice sparing Saul's life ([1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul's Life") and [1 Samuel 26](/1_samuel/26 "1 Samuel 26 - David Spares Saul Again")). In [1 Samuel 27:1](/1_samuel/27-1 "1 Samuel 27:1 - David's Despair and Decision"), David expresses his conviction that he would eventually "perish one day by the hand of Saul" if he remained in Israelite territory. Seeking asylum with a foreign king was a common, albeit risky, practice in the ancient Near East for those fleeing persecution. David likely calculated that Saul would not pursue him into Philistine territory, and that Achish, recognizing David's military prowess and his genuine defection from Israel, might see him as a valuable mercenary asset or at least a neutral party who could be used against Saul. This desperate, strategic move highlights David's human fear and pragmatic thinking, even if it momentarily overshadowed his full trust in God's immediate and miraculous protection.

**How did Achish, the king of Gath, react to David's arrival?**

Answer: Achish's reaction to David's arrival was one of pragmatic acceptance and even hospitality, as detailed in [1 Samuel 27:3-7](/1_samuel/27-3-7 "1 Samuel 27:3-7 - David's Reception in Gath and Grant of Ziklag"). He granted David and his men a place to live, specifically the town of Ziklag, after David requested it. This decision was a calculated risk on Achish's part; he likely saw David as a valuable mercenary who could be used against Israel, or at least as a destabilizing force against his enemy, King Saul. This was not David's first encounter with Achish; he had previously feigned madness to escape Achish's court in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10-15 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David Feigns Madness Before Achish"). The fact that Achish accepted him again, despite their past, suggests that Achish believed David was genuinely defecting from Saul and could be a useful ally, even if he was ultimately deceived by David's actions during this period ([1 Samuel 27:8-12](/1_samuel/27-8-12 "1 Samuel 27:8-12 - David's Raids from Ziklag")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's flight to Gath, born of human fear and a temporary lapse in faith, paradoxically foreshadows profound aspects of Christ's journey and God's sovereign plan. While David sought refuge in an enemy land due to desperation and a perceived threat to his life, Christ, the true Son of David, willingly "passed over" from the ineffable glory of heaven to dwell among humanity, a world inherently hostile to God, not out of fear but out of divine love, perfect obedience, and a predetermined mission ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). David's period in Gath, though imperfect and marked by moral compromise, served to prepare him for his kingship, allowing him to gather a loyal following and gain invaluable experience in leadership and warfare. Similarly, Christ's earthly sojourn, including His experiences of rejection, suffering, and ultimately the cross, was essential to His ultimate coronation as King of kings and Lord of lords, perfecting Him through suffering for the salvation of many ([Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Jesus Perfected Through Suffering")). David's reliance on human strategy in Gath contrasts sharply with Christ's unwavering trust in His Father, even unto death on the cross, submitting completely to the divine will ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). Ultimately, while David's journey was marked by human weakness and a need for earthly refuge, it points to the perfect Lamb of God who, through His sacrifice, truly delivers His people from their ultimate enemies—sin and death—and establishes an eternal kingdom, providing perfect and secure refuge for all who trust in Him, a refuge far greater than any earthly city ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 25:13

And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

1 Samuel 21:10

¶ And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.

1 Kings 2:39

And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants [be] in Gath.

1 Kings 2:40

And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.

1 Samuel 30:8

And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake [them], and without fail recover [all].