1 Samuel 27:8

¶ And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those [nations were] of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

And David {H1732} and his men {H582} went up {H5927}, and invaded {H6584} the Geshurites {H1651}, and the Gezrites {H1511}, and the Amalekites {H6003}: for those {H2007} nations were of old {H5769} the inhabitants {H3427} of the land {H776}, as thou goest {H935} to Shur {H7793}, even unto the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

he and his men began going up and raiding the G'shuri, the Gizri and the 'Amaleki (from ancient times these people had lived in the land in the direction of Shur, all the way to Egypt).

Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these people had inhabited the land extending to Shur and Egypt.)

And David and his men went up, and made a raid upon the Geshurites, and the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those nations were the inhabitants of the land, who were of old, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

Commentary

1 Samuel 27:8 describes a specific period in David's life when he was in exile from King Saul's relentless pursuit. During this time, David and his six hundred men resided in Ziklag, a city granted to him by Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. To maintain his standing with Achish and to secure provisions for his men, David undertook military raids. However, these raids were strategically directed not against Israelite towns, but against tribes that were historical enemies of Israel, a fact he concealed from Achish.

Context

After years of living as a fugitive, David, out of desperation and perhaps a lapse in faith, decided to seek refuge with the Philistines (1 Samuel 27:1-7). While living in Ziklag, he had to demonstrate loyalty to Achish. This verse details David's method of doing so: by raiding tribes in the southern reaches of the land. His cunning strategy involved attacking non-Israelite groups while reporting to Achish that he had raided parts of Judah, thereby deceiving the Philistine king and simultaneously weakening Israel's enemies.

Key Themes

  • David's Military Acumen and Survival: This verse showcases David's continued leadership and strategic skill even when operating outside the direct borders of Israel. He was not idle but actively engaged in warfare, strengthening his forces and preparing for his eventual kingship.
  • Enemies of Israel: The Geshurites, Gezrites, and especially the Amalekites, were ancient adversaries of the Israelites. The Amalekites, in particular, had a long history of hostility towards God's people, dating back to their attack on Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 17:8). God had commanded their utter destruction (see Deuteronomy 25:19), a command Saul had failed to fully execute (1 Samuel 15:9). David's actions here, though motivated by personal survival, served to fulfill divine judgment against these persistent foes.
  • Geographical Significance: The phrase "as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt" pinpoints the region of these raids. This area is the southern Negev desert, bordering the Sinai Peninsula, a harsh landscape inhabited by various nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates the Hebrew verb וַיִּפְשְׁטוּ (vayyiphshuṭu) as "invaded." This term typically refers to a sudden, swift raid or a predatory incursion. It implies a targeted attack with the intent of plunder or destruction, fitting the context of David's military expeditions. The description "of old the inhabitants of the land" (מֵעוֹלָם יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ, me'olam yosheve ha'aretz) emphasizes the long-established presence of these tribes in the region, highlighting their historical role as occupants of territories adjacent to or overlapping with Israelite lands.

Practical Application

While David's use of deception in this chapter is not presented as a model for Christian conduct, the passage illustrates how God can work through complex and even morally ambiguous situations to achieve His ultimate purposes. David's determination to protect his men and his future kingdom, even in exile, demonstrates resilience. For believers, it can be a reminder that we face spiritual adversaries (like the Amalekites of old), and we must be strategic in our spiritual warfare, though always relying on truth and righteousness, not deceit, as our foundation. It also highlights God's providential hand, guiding events even when human actions are flawed.

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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

  • 1 Samuel 15:7

    And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah [until] thou comest to Shur, that [is] over against Egypt.

  • 1 Samuel 15:8

    And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

  • Joshua 13:2

    This [is] the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

  • Joshua 13:13

    Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.

  • Judges 1:29

    Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.

  • Joshua 16:10

    And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.

  • Exodus 15:22

    ¶ So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
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