1 Samuel 27 11

1 Samuel 27:11 kjv

And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 27:11 nkjv

David would save neither man nor woman alive, to bring news to Gath, saying, "Lest they should inform on us, saying, 'Thus David did.' " And thus was his behavior all the time he dwelt in the country of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 27:11 niv

He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, "They might inform on us and say, 'This is what David did.'?" And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory.

1 Samuel 27:11 esv

And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking, "lest they should tell about us and say, 'So David has done.'" Such was his custom all the while he lived in the country of the Philistines.

1 Samuel 27:11 nlt

No one was left alive to come to Gath and tell where he had really been. This happened again and again while he was living among the Philistines.

1 Samuel 27 verses

1 Samuel 27 11 Meaning

This verse details David's ruthless strategy of eliminating all inhabitants—men, women, and children—during his raids from Ziklag. The explicit purpose was to prevent any survivors from bringing intelligence to Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. By leaving no witnesses, David successfully maintained the deception that his raids were against Judahite territories, thus solidifying his position and ensuring his safety in Philistine lands. This act of calculated total destruction secured Achish's trust by preventing the truth of David's attacks on enemies of Israel from being exposed.

1 Samuel 27 11 Context

This verse occurs during a morally complex period in David's life. Fleeing from King Saul's relentless pursuit, David, for his own safety and that of his followers, sought refuge in the territory of the Philistine king Achish in Gath. As an exile, David was strategically placed in Ziklag by Achish. To maintain the illusion of loyalty and an alliance with Achish, David feigned raiding Judahite towns, but secretly raided other non-Israelite groups like the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites – traditional enemies of Israel. The particular context of 1 Samuel 27:11 shows David's ruthless pragmatism: the total extermination of men, women, and children during these raids was a crucial tactical decision. This ensured no survivors could bring true intelligence to Achish, thereby preserving David's elaborate deception and securing his sanctuary in Philistia. This period highlights the extreme pressures David faced, leading to morally ambiguous actions necessary for survival and the protection of his people.

1 Samuel 27 11 Word analysis

• And David saved neither man nor woman alive: This phrase translates the Hebrew "לֹא־הֶחֱיָה דָוִד אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה" (lō’-heḥĕyâ Dāwīd ’îš wə’iššâ), literally "did not keep alive David man and woman". It denotes a complete slaughter, indicating an utter absence of survivors. The emphasis on "neither man nor woman" underscores the totality and deliberate nature of the eradication, leaving no potential witness.

• to bring tidings: The Hebrew "לְהָבִיא בְשׂוֹרָה" (lehâbı̂y' besôrâh) means "to bring a message" or "to bring news." This directly states the pragmatic objective of the massacre: to prevent the true reports of David's actions from reaching Philistine ears. In ancient warfare, intelligence and counter-intelligence were vital, and David effectively controlled the narrative by eliminating any sources of true information.

• to Gath: Specifies the intended destination of any potential news, highlighting the specific vulnerability and political capital David sought to manage with Achish, the king of Gath. Gath was a prominent Philistine city, and maintaining a favorable relationship with its king was paramount to David's survival.

• saying, Lest they should tell on us: The Hebrew "פֶּן־יַגִּידוּ עָלֵינוּ" (pen yaggı̂dû ‘aleinû) translates as "lest they tell against us" or "lest they report about us". This reveals David's primary fear: exposure of his true targets. His entire strategy relied on Achish believing David was fighting against Israel, not against the enemies of Israel.

• saying, So did David, and so will be his manner: This is the heart of the deception. The Hebrew "כֹּה עָשָׂה דָוִד וְכֹה מִשְׁפַּטּוֹ" (kōh ‘āśâ Dāwīd wəḵōh mishpaṭṭōw) conveys a sense of established custom or judgment. "Manner" here signifies a habitual practice or typical behavior. David's goal was for Achish to perceive these fabricated attacks on Judah as David's consistent operational "norm," cementing the lie.

• all the while he dwells in the country of the Philistines: This phrase "כָּל־הַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר יָשַׁב בִּשְׂדֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים" (kāl-hayyāmîm ’ăšer yāšaḇ biśdeh Plištim) ("all the days that he sat/dwelt in the field of the Philistines") underlines the long-term, calculated nature of David's strategy. He sought a sustainable deception for the entire duration of his exile, not just a one-off event. It speaks to the ongoing necessity of the lie for his continued safety.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings": This phrase starkly highlights David's ruthless pragmatism. It is an act of total extermination, specifically motivated by intelligence control, emphasizing a "no witness" policy rather than just conquest. It shows David operating outside the bounds of ideal Israelite ethics, driven by dire circumstances and self-preservation.
  • "Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner": This crucial phrase reveals the psychology behind David's actions. It directly ties the brutal violence to his deception strategy. The fear of exposure and the meticulous construction of a false persona are central here, emphasizing the lengths David would go to create a false but believable "track record" in Achish's eyes. His actions were not arbitrary but part of a well-orchestrated lie to survive and even thrive within the enemy's land.

1 Samuel 27 11 Bonus section

This incident highlights the nuanced way the Bible portrays its heroes, presenting them not as perfect paragons, but as flawed human beings whom God nonetheless uses for His purposes. While David is depicted as a man of faith, episodes like this remind readers of his practical, often unideal, responses to threats. The text leaves the moral judgment of this deception implicitly to the reader, without directly commending or condemning it as righteous. Such passages serve to illustrate the raw realities of survival in the ancient Near East, where violence and subterfuge were common tools of statecraft and personal safety. The contrast between this dark episode and David's later character, particularly his heart for worship and confession, demonstrates God's transforming work and long-suffering with His servants. It also provides a foundational understanding of human sinfulness even in God's chosen vessels, setting the stage for the need for a perfect King, Jesus Christ.

1 Samuel 27 11 Commentary

1 Samuel 27:11 offers a sobering glimpse into the moral complexities of David's period of exile. Driven by extreme duress under Saul's persecution, David compromises his integrity by resorting to deliberate deception and brutal, absolute violence. The mass slaughter was not wanton but coldly calculated, serving the specific purpose of controlling intelligence to maintain a false persona for Achish. While David's actions guaranteed his immediate safety and resources, it stands as a morally troubling episode in the life of a man described as "after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22). This demonstrates that even God's chosen instruments can exhibit deep human flaws and make difficult, questionable choices under pressure, yet God's overarching plan and ultimate purposes can still unfold through their imperfect lives. The narrative does not condone the deception or the slaughter, but rather portrays David's pragmatic approach to survival within a hostile environment. This period reveals a leader navigating extreme ethical dilemmas where ends, for a time, seem to justify means in his human understanding, highlighting the ongoing tension between human failure and divine providence.