1 Samuel 27:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was told {H5046} Saul {H7586} that David {H1732} was fled {H1272} to Gath {H1661}: and he sought {H1245} no more again {H3254}{H3254} for him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul was told that David had escaped to Gat, whereupon he stopped searching for him.

Berean Standard Bible

And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 27:4 marks a pivotal moment in the protracted conflict between King Saul and David, signaling the definitive cessation of Saul’s relentless pursuit. Having received news that David had fled to Gath, a major Philistine city and traditional enemy of Israel, Saul finally abandoned his obsessive quest to capture or kill the future king. This verse signifies a much-needed period of rest and security for David, allowing him to consolidate his position and prepare for the divine destiny that awaited him, free from the immediate threat of Saul’s jealous rage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse follows a long and arduous period of David's life as a fugitive, relentlessly pursued by King Saul. Despite David's repeated demonstrations of loyalty and his two opportunities to kill Saul (once in a cave, as detailed in [1 Samuel 24](/1_samuel/24 "1 Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul's Life"), and again at Saul's camp in [1 Samuel 26](/1_samuel/26 "1 Samuel 26 - David Spares Saul a Second Time")), Saul's paranoia and jealousy remained unchecked. David's decision to flee to Gath, recounted in [1 Samuel 27:1-3](/1_samuel/27-1 "1 Samuel 27:1-3 - David Flees to Gath"), stemmed from a moment of weariness and a pragmatic, albeit faith-testing, conclusion that he would eventually "perish one day by the hand of Saul." This desperate move to enemy territory, where he had previously feigned madness to escape (as seen in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David Feigns Madness")), ultimately led to the cessation of Saul's pursuit described in this verse, setting the stage for David's subsequent Philistine sojourn and the final events leading to Saul's demise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Gath was one of the five principal cities of the Philistines, a formidable and long-standing enemy of Israel. For an anointed Israelite leader like David to seek refuge in such a place was highly unusual and culturally shocking. It implied a profound break with his own people and a desperate measure to secure safety. The Philistines, known for their military prowess and advanced iron technology, frequently clashed with Israel, as exemplified by the famous battle where David slew Goliath, a champion from Gath ([1 Samuel 17:4](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath of Gath")). For Saul to hear that David had fled to Gath would have suggested a final, irreversible departure, perhaps even a defection, making further pursuit within Israelite territory seem futile or unnecessary. This move, therefore, carried significant political and symbolic weight, influencing Saul's decision to cease his hunt.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme highlighted by this verse is the **cessation of persecution** and the **divine providence** that orchestrates even human desperation for God's purposes. After years of relentless pursuit, Saul's abandonment of the chase signifies a crucial turning point, providing David with a much-needed period of respite and preparation for his future kingship. This pause, though initiated by David's fearful flight to enemy territory, ultimately served God's sovereign plan to protect His anointed and allow him to mature without the constant threat of Saul's madness. It also underscores **Saul's spiritual decline and obsession**, as his inability to capture David, despite his vast resources, eventually led to a weary surrender, further illustrating his diminishing authority and God's withdrawal of favor, a theme evident throughout [1 Samuel](/1_samuel "1 Samuel - The Rise of David and Fall of Saul").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sought (Hebrew, _bāqaš'_):** The Hebrew verb בָּקַשׁ (*bāqaš*) means "to seek, to search for, to look for, to demand." It often implies an earnest, diligent, and sometimes obsessive search, as it clearly was in Saul's pursuit of David. The use of this word here, followed by its negation ("sought no more again"), powerfully conveys the completeness and finality of Saul's decision. It was not a casual giving up, but the cessation of an intense, prolonged, and deeply personal quest that had consumed Saul for years. The implication is that Saul's energy, resources, and mental resolve for this specific endeavor were entirely spent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath":** This clause highlights the crucial role of communication and intelligence in the ancient world. The news of David's flight to Gath, a well-known Philistine city, reached Saul, confirming David's desperate measure to escape his grasp. This information was likely seen by Saul as a decisive and perhaps permanent break, indicating David had truly left Israelite jurisdiction and sought refuge among Israel's traditional enemies. The act of "fleeing" (נוּס, _nûs_) emphasizes the urgency and desperation of David's situation, driven by his conviction that he would eventually be killed by Saul if he remained in Israel.
* **"and he sought no more again for him":** This is the climactic statement of the verse, marking a dramatic shift in the narrative. The phrase "sought no more again" (וְלֹא־הוֹסִיף עוֹד לְבַקְשׁוֹ, _wĕlōʾ-hôsîp ʿôd lĕḇaqšô_) literally means "he did not add again to seek him." This double negation emphatically conveys the absolute cessation of Saul's pursuit. For years, Saul had been relentless, but the news of David's flight to enemy territory, perhaps combined with exhaustion, futility, or a perceived shift in threat, finally broke his resolve. This cessation was not due to a change of heart or reconciliation, but a pragmatic decision based on David's perceived inaccessibility. It was a divinely orchestrated pause, providing David with a much-needed period of peace and preparation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Irony** and **Foreshadowing**. The irony lies in the fact that David, the anointed future king of Israel, finds safety and respite not within the borders of his own kingdom, but in the heart of enemy territory, among the Philistines. Meanwhile, the reigning king of Israel, Saul, is so consumed by his own paranoia and spiritual decline that he effectively drives the legitimate heir into the arms of his adversaries. This paradoxical situation underscores the depth of Saul's spiritual sickness and the unconventional ways God works to protect His chosen. Furthermore, the cessation of Saul's pursuit serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the eventual end of Saul's reign and the beginning of David's. This period of peace allowed David to consolidate his followers and gain valuable experience, preparing him for the throne he would soon inherit, thereby setting the stage for the fulfillment of God's promise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 27:4 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign protection over His anointed, even when His servants act out of fear or desperation. David's flight to Gath, while seemingly a pragmatic, human-driven decision, ultimately served God's purpose by providing a period of respite from Saul's relentless persecution. This cessation of pursuit highlights the futility of human opposition against God's chosen plan and demonstrates that God can use unexpected circumstances, even those involving traditional enemies, to accomplish His will. It underscores the theme of divine faithfulness, showing that God never abandons those He has called, providing safety and rest in due season, even amidst the most trying circumstances. This divine intervention ensured David's survival and prepared him for the kingship, demonstrating God's meticulous care for His covenant promises.

* [Psalm 34:7](/psalms/34-7 "Psalm 34:7 - The Angel of the Lord Encamps")
* [Psalm 57:1](/psalms/57-1 "Psalm 57:1 - Refuge in God")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound encouragement for believers navigating seasons of intense trial and persecution. Just as David endured years of relentless pursuit by Saul, we too may face periods of overwhelming pressure, opposition, or weariness. 1 Samuel 27:4 reminds us that even the most persistent and seemingly unending trials have an expiration date, often brought about by God's sovereign intervention. It teaches us to trust in God's timing for deliverance, recognizing that He can orchestrate circumstances in unconventional ways—even using our adversaries' exhaustion or unexpected avenues of refuge—to provide the necessary rest and protection. This period of cessation allowed David to regroup, mature, and prepare for his destiny, serving as a powerful reminder that God uses every season, even those of apparent setback, to refine and equip us for His purposes. We are called to endure faithfully, knowing that God's hand is always at work, bringing about His perfect plan for our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel relentlessly pursued or under constant pressure?**
* **How does David's experience in Gath encourage you to trust God's unconventional methods of protection and provision?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the importance of trusting God's timing for deliverance and rest, even when circumstances seem desperate?**
* **How might God be using a current "cessation" or period of quiet in your life to prepare you for future service or growth?**

### FAQ
**Why did David flee to Gath, a Philistine city, given their enmity with Israel?**

Answer: David's decision to flee to Gath was a desperate, pragmatic move born out of extreme weariness and a perceived lack of options. After years of relentless pursuit by Saul, David concluded in [1 Samuel 27:1](/1_samuel/27-1 "1 Samuel 27:1 - David's Desperate Plan") that he would "perish one day by the hand of Saul." Seeking refuge in enemy territory was an act of last resort, a calculated risk to escape Saul's reach. While unconventional and potentially fraught with danger, it provided a geographical and political barrier that Saul was unwilling or unable to cross, ultimately leading to the cessation of his pursuit. It also allowed David to build a formidable fighting force, as seen in [1 Samuel 27:2-3](/1_samuel/27-2 "1 Samuel 27:2-3 - David and His Men Settle in Gath").

**What does Saul's cessation of pursuit signify about his character or reign?**

Answer: Saul's decision to stop seeking David signifies his profound spiritual and emotional exhaustion, as well as the futility of his obsessive quest. It highlights the depth of his paranoia and jealousy, which had consumed him for years, diverting his focus from leading Israel against its true enemies. His giving up on David, the anointed future king, underscores his diminishing authority and God's withdrawal of favor from him, a theme prevalent throughout the book of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel "1 Samuel - The Rise of David and Fall of Saul"). It also suggests a recognition, perhaps subconscious, that his efforts were ultimately against God's will and therefore bound to fail.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 27:4, depicting the cessation of David's persecution, offers a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate peace and rest found in Christ. David, God's anointed king, was unjustly pursued and sought by a jealous earthly ruler, finding temporary refuge in an unexpected place. Similarly, Jesus, the true Anointed One and King of kings, faced relentless opposition and persecution from earthly authorities and religious leaders, culminating in His crucifixion. However, just as Saul's pursuit of David ultimately ceased, so too does the spiritual persecution and condemnation of those who are "in Christ" come to an end. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus has provided ultimate refuge and rest from the relentless pursuit of sin, death, and the law, as highlighted in [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"), where He invites all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him. His finished work on the cross means that for believers, the "seeking" of condemnation and the "pursuit" of sin's dominion have ceased. We are delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")), entering into a spiritual sabbath rest ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - A Sabbath Rest Remains")) that the temporary cessation of David's persecution could only imperfectly prefigure.

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 26:21

¶ Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.