1 Samuel 23 27

1 Samuel 23:27 kjv

But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

1 Samuel 23:27 nkjv

But a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land!"

1 Samuel 23:27 niv

a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land."

1 Samuel 23:27 esv

a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land."

1 Samuel 23:27 nlt

an urgent message reached Saul that the Philistines were raiding Israel again.

1 Samuel 23 verses

1 Samuel 23 27 Meaning

1 Samuel 23:27 describes a pivotal moment when Saul's relentless pursuit of David in the wilderness is abruptly halted by an urgent message. Just as Saul and his men had cornered David, poised to capture him, a messenger arrives, relaying the critical news that the Philistines are raiding the land. This immediate threat compels Saul to abandon his personal vendetta against David and return to defend Israel. The verse highlights divine intervention, where God orchestrates external circumstances—the Philistine raid—to providentially protect David from capture and certain death at Saul's hand.

1 Samuel 23 27 Context

1 Samuel 23 details King Saul's intense and relentless pursuit of David, whom he viewed as a threat to his throne. David, having escaped Saul multiple times, had found refuge in various wilderness strongholds. In the preceding verses (1 Sam 23:25-26), Saul's pursuit reaches its climax as he successfully corners David and his men in the wilderness of Maon, with Saul's forces encircling them. David is in dire straits, with no apparent escape route. The immediate context shows David facing imminent capture and death, reflecting Saul's increasing obsession and disregard for his kingly duties. Historically, the Philistines were the perennial and formidable enemy of Israel, constantly posing a threat to their borders and core territories. Their raids were not uncommon, but the timing of this particular raid, precisely when David was most vulnerable, highlights a divine orchestration to protect the one God had chosen for kingship. This external national threat directly counteracted Saul's personal vendetta, forcing him to shift focus from pursuing an innocent man to defending his own kingdom.

1 Samuel 23 27 Word analysis

• But: Hebrew וְהִנֵּה (ve-hinneh) - meaning "And behold," "But suddenly," or "And then suddenly." This conjunction powerfully signals an immediate and unforeseen change in circumstances, marking a sharp turn in the narrative and emphasizing the providential nature of the event. It sets a dramatic tone, indicating an unexpected twist that completely alters the situation.
• there came: Denotes a specific, timed arrival, implying a sudden occurrence that interrupts the ongoing narrative.
• a messenger: Hebrew מַלְאָךְ (mal'akh) - While literally meaning "messenger" or "envoy," this word can also denote an "angel" in various contexts, though here it refers to a human. The significant point is that it's an agent of communication whose arrival at this precise moment serves God's purpose. The unexpected presence of this messenger highlights divine timing.
• to Saul: Pinpoints the recipient, who is currently obsessed with eliminating David. The message targets him directly, compelling him to respond to a higher priority.
• saying: Introduces the urgent content of the message.
• Hurry: Hebrew מַהֵר (maher) - an imperative command signifying extreme urgency. It indicates a critical situation that demands immediate action and no delay, emphasizing the severity of the threat.
• and come: Reinforces the command for immediate movement.
• for: Introduces the crucial reason for the urgency.
• the Philistines: Hebrew פְּלִשְׁתִּים (Pelishtim) - The primary external enemies of Israel during this period, constantly warring against them and threatening their existence. Their sudden action underscores the national crisis and redirects Saul's attention from internal conflict to external danger.
• have made a raid: Hebrew פָּשְׁטוּ (pashtu) - derived from the verb פָּשַׁט (pashat), meaning "to strip," "to spread out," or "to raid/make an incursion." This term implies a swift, often unexpected, and violent invasion or plundering into Israelite territory. It signifies a significant attack, not a mere skirmish, and a serious threat requiring immediate defensive action.
• on the land: Hebrew בָּאָרֶץ (ba'aretz) - specifically "on the land," referring to the territory of Israel itself. This indicates a direct and serious threat to the core of Saul's kingdom, rather than just a border skirmish or raid on peripheral settlements. It signifies a critical national emergency.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But there came a messenger to Saul, saying,": This phrase encapsulates the unexpected and disruptive nature of the event. The "but" signals a radical shift in circumstances. The arrival of a messenger, regardless of identity, at this precise moment of David's extreme peril, reveals an underlying providential hand at work, changing the narrative trajectory.
• "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.": This segment delivers the core, urgent command and its justification. The Philistine raid, a significant and well-known national threat, serves as the compelling reason for Saul to abandon his personal obsession. This urgent message forces Saul's immediate prioritization of national defense over personal vendetta, demonstrating God's sovereign control over even the actions of Israel's enemies to achieve His purposes.

1 Samuel 23 27 Bonus section

• This incident is often referred to as a "divine rescue" or "miracle of the messenger," showcasing God's active involvement in the lives of His people.
• It serves as a stark contrast between Saul's self-serving, desperate attempts to secure his throne by eliminating David, and God's consistent faithfulness in preserving His covenant and upholding His promises to David.
• The wilderness of Maon where this occurred would become known as "the Rock of Escape" (Sela Hammahlekoth), memorializing God's deliverance there (1 Sam 23:28).
• The event subtly teaches that God's ways are higher than man's, and His ultimate plans will not be thwarted by human opposition, no matter how intense.
• It shows God's control not only over natural circumstances but also over the hearts and priorities of leaders, compelling even an unrighteous king to act in accordance with God's timing, albeit unknowingly.

1 Samuel 23 27 Commentary

1 Samuel 23:27 is a powerful illustration of divine providence and timely intervention. Just as Saul was on the verge of capturing and potentially killing David, fulfilling his relentless, misplaced zeal, God intervened through what appears to be a natural circumstance: a Philistine raid. The specific timing of this messenger's arrival, at David's most vulnerable moment, points to God's hand, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to protect His chosen servant and preserve the line through which the Messiah would come. This event forces Saul to abandon his personal vengeance against David for the more pressing, God-given duty of defending his kingdom. It highlights the contrast between Saul's misguided focus on eliminating David (a sign of his spiritual decline) and God's overarching purpose for David and for Israel. This intervention underscores God's control over all events, even using the actions of an enemy nation to accomplish His will, preventing evil from triumphing over His anointed.