1 Samuel 27 3

1 Samuel 27:3 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 27:3 nkjv

So David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's widow.

1 Samuel 27:3 niv

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.

1 Samuel 27:3 esv

And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal's widow.

1 Samuel 27:3 nlt

David and his men and their families settled there with Achish at Gath. David brought his two wives along with him ? Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, Nabal's widow from Carmel.

1 Samuel 27 verses

1 Samuel 27 3 Meaning

This verse details David's relocation from the land of Judah to Gath, a major Philistine city, under the protection of King Achish. It specifies that David was not alone but was accompanied by his entire group of six hundred men, and crucially, each man brought his own household, including women and children. The verse also particularly notes the presence of David's two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the Carmelite, emphasizing the full integration of their families into this Philistine exile. This move signifies a moment of pragmatic desperation for David, seeking refuge among his traditional enemies due to relentless persecution by Saul.

1 Samuel 27 3 Context

1 Samuel 27:3 immediately follows David's declaration that he must flee to the land of the Philistines to escape Saul, whom he believed would eventually catch and kill him (1 Sam 27:1). This move marks a significant turn in David's life, shifting from a life of constant flight within Judah to seeking asylum in enemy territory. After previously feigning madness before Achish in Gath to escape (1 Sam 21), David now deliberately chooses to settle there, signaling a deep sense of desperation and a strategic decision to endure life among Israel's traditional foes. This historical context highlights the relentless pressure Saul exerted on David, pushing him to extreme measures. Culturally, bringing an entire household, including women and children, implies a long-term commitment and the full extent of their refugee status, expecting safety and provision in this foreign land. The inclusion of his two wives further details David's personal life amidst this exile, setting the stage for subsequent events.

1 Samuel 27 3 Word analysis

• "And David": Refers to David, the future king of Israel, God's anointed. His actions here, though understandable, reflect a moment of human weakness and decision-making outside explicit divine command, prompted by despair from relentless persecution by King Saul.

• "dwelt" (Hebrew: יָשַׁב - yashab): Means "to sit," "to remain," "to settle," "to inhabit." It signifies a period of settled residence, not a temporary stop. This verb choice emphasizes David's intention to establish a permanent (at least for a prolonged period) presence in Gath, reflecting the culmination of his decision to stop wandering (1 Sam 27:1). This was a deliberate attempt to escape Saul's reach entirely, rather than just evade him within Israel's borders.

• "with Achish" (Hebrew: אָכִישׁ - 'Akhish): Achish was the Philistine king of Gath. David had a precarious history with him (1 Sam 21:10-15), feigning madness to escape capture. Returning to Achish now indicates David’s cunning and willingness to leverage any means necessary for survival, even establishing a potentially dangerous client-king relationship with an enemy. This reveals the paradox of seeking refuge in the land of the uncircumcised Philistines.

• "at Gath" (Hebrew: גַּת - Gath): One of the five major Philistine city-states (along with Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gaza), and the hometown of Goliath (1 Sam 17:4). This geographical detail underscores the gravity and unusual nature of David's decision. For Israel's future king to reside among the very people they were commanded to drive out highlights the extreme nature of his distress and the pressure Saul put on him.

• "he and his men": Refers to David himself and his approximately 600 loyal followers. This contingent of warriors had been with him through thick and thin, serving as his protective force and a symbol of his growing strength and leadership, despite his fugitive status. Their commitment highlights David’s influence and ability to attract loyal followers even in hardship.

• "every man with his household": Emphasizes the total commitment of David’s men, bringing their wives, children, and possibly extended family. This wasn't just a military camp, but a community in exile. It signifies the collective vulnerability and shared fate of David’s entire following, placing enormous responsibility on David for their welfare and provision. It also indicates a longer-term intention than a temporary hideout.

• "even David with his two wives": Specifies David's own immediate family situation. The mention of his wives highlights the personal sacrifices and domestic implications of his exile. It also contrasts with moments when David separated his family for their safety (e.g., leaving them with the king of Moab in 1 Sam 22:3-4). Now, they are fully immersed in his precarious existence.

• "Ahinoam the Jezreelitess": David’s first wife mentioned in 1 Samuel, taken after he left Michal (1 Sam 25:43). Her presence confirms her enduring role in David's life during this period of exile.

• "and Abigail the Carmelite, Nabal's wife": David’s second wife, acquired after Nabal’s death (1 Sam 25). Known for her wisdom and diplomacy, her presence highlights the diverse backgrounds and personalities within David’s immediate family.

• "David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men": This phrase highlights the political and personal gamble David was taking. He placed himself, his fighting force, and ultimately his future in the hands of a Philistine king, an unprecedented act for a leader chosen by God to rule Israel. It suggests a move dictated by human fear and strategy rather than divine directive.

• "every man with his household, even David with his two wives": This combined phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the migration. It underscores David's immense responsibility as a leader not just of soldiers, but of a fully established community of refugees. The detail about his wives serves to further personalize David's leadership and the vulnerability of his own family during this period of "strategic alliance" with the enemy.

1 Samuel 27 3 Bonus section

David's decision to seek refuge in Gath, a Philistine stronghold, might seem antithetical to his divine calling as Israel's future king and commander of the Lord's battles. However, it inadvertently led to a period where he gained practical experience in leading raids against enemies (not against Judah, as Achish was led to believe), skills that would prove invaluable once he ascended the throne. This period also provides an illustration of how God can preserve His chosen ones even when they make choices that are not entirely in line with absolute faith or clear divine instruction, often using challenging environments to further equip them. The presence of his two wives highlights the ancient Near Eastern cultural acceptance of polygamy, especially for powerful men, while also serving as a subtle narrative reminder of the complexities and potential domestic issues that often accompanied such marital arrangements (as seen later in David's life).

1 Samuel 27 3 Commentary

1 Samuel 27:3 describes David's desperate, pragmatic move to Gath. After years of relentless pursuit by Saul, David concluded that his only option for survival was to leave the land of Israel entirely and seek refuge with his traditional enemies, the Philistines. This decision, though born of immense pressure and fear (1 Sam 27:1), can be seen as a low point in David's faith journey, a departure from trusting YHWH's protection within the covenant land. The meticulous detail—including his 600 men, each with his household, and specifically David's two wives—underscores the extensive nature of this exile. It paints a vivid picture of David's commitment to protecting and providing for his people, even if it meant unorthodox alliances and living in direct proximity to Israel's adversaries. While a rational human response to an untenable situation, it shows David temporarily abandoning a full reliance on divine guidance for survival. Yet, even in this self-directed course, God's overarching providence can be observed, as this exile unexpectedly serves later in shielding Judah from Philistine raids (though through David's deception). It offers a testament to God's continued working through flawed human instruments and difficult circumstances.