1 Samuel 27:6

Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.

Then Achish {H397} gave {H5414} him Ziklag {H6860} that day {H3117}: wherefore Ziklag {H6860} pertaineth unto the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063} unto this day {H3117}.

That very day Akhish gave him Ziklag, and that's why to this day Ziklag belongs to the kings of Y'hudah.

That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day it still belongs to the kings of Judah.

Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.

Commentary

1 Samuel 27:6 details a pivotal moment in David's wilderness years, marking a significant shift in his refuge and future legacy. This verse records King Achish of Gath granting Ziklag to David as a dwelling place, a decision with lasting historical implications for the kingdom of Judah.

Context

At this point in his life, David is a fugitive, relentlessly pursued by King Saul, who seeks to kill him (1 Samuel 19:1). Desperate for safety, David makes the bold and seemingly contradictory choice to seek asylum with the Philistine king Achish in Gath, a major city of Israel's long-standing enemies. David had previously feigned madness to escape Achish's court (1 Samuel 21:10-15), but now returns with 600 men and their families, presenting himself as a loyal servant. Achish, perhaps seeing an opportunity to gain a powerful Israelite warrior and weaken Saul, grants David his request for a separate city to reside in, leading to the gift of Ziklag. This move strategically removed David from direct observation in Gath, allowing him to conduct secret raids on non-Israelite peoples (1 Samuel 27:8-9) while maintaining the deception that he was attacking Judah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence Amidst Human Imperfection: Even though David's actions involve deception and seeking refuge with an enemy of Israel, God's sovereign hand is evident in protecting him and positioning him for his future role as king. This period of exile and reliance on God's provision ultimately prepared David for leadership.
  • Strategic Leadership: David demonstrates remarkable strategic thinking and adaptability. By requesting Ziklag, he gains a base of operations that provides both security from Saul and freedom from Achish's constant scrutiny, allowing him to grow his forces and influence.
  • Historical Significance: The phrase "wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day" highlights the lasting impact of this event. Ziklag, a former Philistine city, becomes a permanent possession of the Davidic monarchy, underscoring the future establishment and legitimacy of the kingdom of Judah under David's lineage (2 Samuel 7:16).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "unto this day" (Hebrew: ‘ad hayyom hazzeh) is a common biblical idiom used by the narrator to indicate that a particular custom, place, or situation established in the story continued to exist at the time the book was written. It serves to authenticate the historical claim made in the text, emphasizing the enduring legacy of David's actions and the divine plan for his kingdom.

Significance and Application

1 Samuel 27:6 reminds us that God can work through complex and unconventional circumstances to fulfill His purposes. David's time in Ziklag, though born out of desperation and involving morally ambiguous actions, was crucial for his development as a leader and for the eventual establishment of his kingdom. It foreshadows his reign and the enduring nature of the Davidic line. Ziklag later plays a significant role when it is raided by the Amalekites, leading to David's triumphant recovery of all that was lost and his renewed trust in God (1 Samuel 30:1-20), further solidifying his leadership before becoming king of Judah.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 11:28 (4 votes)

    And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,

  • Joshua 15:31 (3 votes)

    And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,

  • 1 Chronicles 12:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Now these [are] they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they [were] among the mighty men, helpers of the war.

  • 1 Samuel 19:5 (2 votes)

    For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest [it], and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?

  • 1 Chronicles 4:30 (2 votes)

    And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,

  • 2 Samuel 1:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

  • 1 Chronicles 12:20 (2 votes)

    As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that [were] of Manasseh.