1 Samuel 27:3

And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, [even] David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.

And David {H1732} dwelt {H3427} with Achish {H397} at Gath {H1661}, he and his men {H582}, every man {H376} with his household {H1004}, even David {H1732} with his two {H8147} wives {H802}, Ahinoam {H293} the Jezreelitess {H3159}, and Abigail {H26} the Carmelitess {H3762}, Nabal's {H5037} wife {H802}.

David lived with Akhish, he and his men, each man with his household - including David with his two wives Achino'am from Yizre'el and Avigayil from Karmel, Naval's widow.

David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal.

And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife.

Commentary

1 Samuel 27:3 describes a pivotal moment in David's life as he continues to flee from King Saul. Having exhausted options within Israel, David seeks refuge in the Philistine city of Gath, accompanied by his entire retinue, including his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the Carmelitess (formerly Nabal's wife). This verse highlights David's desperate circumstances and the significant risks he took to secure his survival and the safety of his people.

Context

Prior to this verse, David had been relentlessly pursued by King Saul, despite David's repeated demonstrations of loyalty, including twice sparing Saul's life (1 Samuel 24:4; 1 Samuel 26:8). Feeling that he would eventually "perish by the hand of Saul" (1 Samuel 27:1), David made the drastic decision to leave Israelite territory. His choice of Gath is particularly striking, as it was the hometown of Goliath, the Philistine giant David had famously slain (1 Samuel 17:4). David had previously sought refuge there, feigning madness to escape King Achish (1 Samuel 21:13). This second visit to Gath, this time with an established relationship with Achish, demonstrates David's strategic, albeit risky, move for survival.

Key Themes

  • Desperation and Exile: The verse underscores David's dire situation. He is a fugitive, forced to seek protection from traditional enemies of Israel. This period of exile is a significant test of his faith and leadership.
  • David's Domestic Life: It provides a brief glimpse into David's growing household. The mention of his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, confirms his polygamous status, a common practice among powerful men in the ancient Near East, though not ideal within God's original design for marriage. Abigail, specifically, is noted as "Nabal's wife," reminding the reader of the dramatic events of 1 Samuel 25, where David married her after God's judgment on her foolish husband.
  • Pragmatism and Trust: David's decision to dwell with Achish reflects a pragmatic approach to survival, yet it also raises questions about his full reliance on God. While God continued to protect him, this period involved David making morally ambiguous choices, as seen in subsequent verses.

Linguistic Insights

The names "Jezreelitess" and "Carmelitess" are geographical descriptors, indicating the origins of David's wives. Ahinoam was from Jezreel, a prominent city in the northern kingdom, and Abigail was from Carmel, a town in Judah, known for its fertile land. These details ground the narrative in specific places within the ancient Israelite landscape.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even great figures of faith, like David, faced immense pressure and made decisions that were not always ideal. It highlights the complexities of leadership and survival in challenging circumstances. For believers today, it can be a reminder that:

  1. God's Sovereignty Endures: Even when we find ourselves in difficult or questionable situations, God's overarching plan and protection can still be at work.
  2. Desperate Times: Extreme pressure can lead to desperate measures. It's a call to seek divine wisdom and guidance, even when all human options seem exhausted, to avoid compromising our faith.
  3. Human Imperfection: The Bible honestly portrays its heroes with their flaws. David's polygamy and his flight to the Philistines are part of his complex story, demonstrating that God uses imperfect people.

Reflection

David's dwelling in Gath represents a low point in his journey, a time of exile and reliance on an unlikely ally. Yet, it was also a period during which he honed his military skills and leadership, preparing him for the throne. This verse sets the stage for David's next phase, where he navigates the treacherous waters of Philistine loyalty while still maintaining his identity as the Lord's anointed.

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

  • 1 Samuel 25:42 (4 votes)

    And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife.

  • 1 Samuel 25:43 (4 votes)

    David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives.

  • 1 Samuel 30:3 (2 votes)

    So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, [it was] burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

  • 1 Samuel 30:5 (2 votes)

    And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

  • 1 Samuel 25:3 (2 votes)

    Now the name of the man [was] Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and [she was] a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man [was] churlish and evil in his doings; and he [was] of the house of Caleb.

  • 1 Samuel 25:18 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched [corn], and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid [them] on asses.

  • 1 Samuel 25:35 (2 votes)

    So David received of her hand [that] which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.