1 Samuel 27 5

1 Samuel 27:5 kjv

And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

1 Samuel 27:5 nkjv

Then David said to Achish, "If I have now found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?"

1 Samuel 27:5 niv

Then David said to Achish, "If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?"

1 Samuel 27:5 esv

Then David said to Achish, "If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be given me in one of the country towns, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?"

1 Samuel 27:5 nlt

One day David said to Achish, "If it is all right with you, we would rather live in one of the country towns instead of here in the royal city."

1 Samuel 27 verses

1 Samuel 27 5 Meaning

1 Samuel 27:5 describes David's request to King Achish of Gath for a dwelling place outside the Philistine royal city. David presents this petition deferentially, using diplomatic language, while subtly justifying his desire for relocation by implying that his presence and his growing retinue would be better suited for a country town rather than a central royal capital. This move was strategic for David, aiming to gain a degree of independence from Achish's direct oversight while maintaining his newfound alliance.

1 Samuel 27 5 Context

This verse is part of David's period as a fugitive, desperately seeking to escape King Saul's relentless pursuit. Having already spared Saul's life twice (1 Sam 24, 26), David concluded in his heart that he would eventually be killed by Saul (1 Sam 27:1). This deep-seated fear and doubt led him to make a momentous decision: to seek permanent refuge in the land of the Philistines, the archenemies of Israel. He sought asylum under King Achish of Gath, the very city where he had previously feigned madness to escape (1 Sam 21). Verse 5 captures David's proactive step after this decision to approach Achish. His request for a dwelling in a "country town" like Ziklag, rather than remaining in Gath, signifies his desire for both security from Saul and operational autonomy. This 16-month stay in Philistine territory, during which David skillfully deceived Achish about his raids, marks a complex and ethically ambiguous chapter in David's life, highlighting both his human fallibility and God's sovereign providence in preparing him for kingship.

1 Samuel 27 5 Word analysis

• Then David said: Implies a deliberate, thought-out address to Achish. David is not merely reacting but making a specific, strategic proposition.
• to Achish: Refers to the king of Gath, one of the five Philistine city-states. Achish becomes David's patron, offering him asylum in exchange for presumed loyalty and military service.
• “If I have found favor in your eyes,"
  • Original Hebrew: וְאִם-נָא מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ (və’im-nā’ mātsā’ṯî ḥēn bə‘ênekā)
  • "Favor" (ḥēn): Connotes grace, kindness, or good will. It's a common idiom in ancient Near Eastern diplomatic and social interactions when making a request from a superior. David positions himself humbly, seeking Achish's gracious permission.
  • "in your eyes": A Hebrew idiom for "in your sight" or "in your judgment." It's a deferential acknowledgement of Achish's authority and decision-making power.
• let them give me a place in one of the country towns,
  • Original Hebrew: וְיִתְּנוּ-לִי מָקוֹם בְּאַחַת מֵעָרֵי הַשָּׂדֶה (vəyiṯtənû-lî māqôm bə’aḥaṯ mê‘ārê haśśāḏeh)
  • "let them give": A permissive or optative verb, suggesting a request rather than a demand. David's choice of verb further reinforces his polite, diplomatic posture.
  • "country towns" (‘ârê haśśādēh): Literally "cities of the field" or "open-country towns." These were likely smaller, less fortified settlements on the periphery of Philistine control, perhaps serving agricultural or border defense purposes. They contrasted with major urban centers like Gath, which was a royal city. This choice allowed David strategic advantages: proximity to trade routes, space for his growing retinue, and less direct oversight from Achish. It was also easier for David to launch raids from such a location.
• that I may dwell there;
  • Original Hebrew: וְאֵשֵׁב שָׁם (və’ēšêḇ šām)
  • "dwell": To reside or settle. David sought permanent establishment away from Gath.
• for why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?”
  • Original Hebrew: כִּי לָמָּה יֵשֵׁב עַבְדְּךָ בְּעִיר הַמַּמְלָכָה עִמָּךְ (kî lammāh yēšêḇ ‘aḇdəḵā bə‘îr hammamlāḵāh ‘immāḵ)
  • "for why should...": A rhetorical question designed to provide a plausible justification for his request. It subtly implies mutual benefit – David would be more effective elsewhere, and his presence would not be an undue burden or awkwardness in the king's primary residence.
  • "your servant" (‘aḇdəkā): David's self-designation, highlighting his posture of subservience to Achish as his patron. This aligns with ancient Near Eastern client-vassal relationships, even though David was an anointed king-to-be of Israel.
  • "royal city": Gath itself, the central city of King Achish, suggesting its status as the administrative and military hub. David's implication is that his large and militarily-focused entourage might be unwieldy or inappropriate for the intimate atmosphere of a king's capital.

Words-group analysis:

• "If I have found favor... let them give me a place": This phrase showcases David's adept use of respectful language to couch a highly self-serving and strategic request. It demonstrates his political acumen in dealing with a foreign monarch.
• "country towns" vs. "royal city": The stark contrast emphasizes David's desire for operational freedom and a reduced profile in Philistine society. He wants to avoid the close scrutiny of Achish's court and the potential for Philistine cultural assimilation. This separation also enables his subsequent deceptive raids against Israel's enemies without Achish's immediate awareness.

1 Samuel 27 5 Bonus section

David's strategic decision to ask for a place outside the "royal city" can be seen as an intuitive understanding of power dynamics and resource management. A large retinue like David's, while militarily valuable to Achish, could also be a strain on a royal city's resources or even a subtle political threat. By moving to a border town, David presented himself as a useful buffer and frontier defender, maximizing his value to Achish while minimizing his own direct vulnerability and potential for cultural assimilation. This move to Ziklag not only protected David and his men but also became a pivotal training ground for the eventual establishment of his kingdom (cf. the gathering of warriors in 1 Chr 12). While made out of fear, it facilitated God's larger plan for David's life.

1 Samuel 27 5 Commentary

1 Samuel 27:5 reveals David's pragmatic yet ethically complex strategy to survive Saul's relentless pursuit. Having abandoned hope of immediate deliverance through purely Israelite means (1 Sam 27:1), he makes a bold move into enemy territory. His request for a "country town" like Ziklag, instead of staying in Gath, was masterfully calculated. It provided his 600-strong fighting force (1 Sam 27:2) with room to maneuver, launch independent raids (though deceptive to Achish), and maintain a degree of distance from daily Philistine life, thus preventing deeper cultural or religious entanglement for his Israelite men and their families. While his initial decision to flee to Achish betrayed a momentary lapse in his faith and trust in God's explicit promises (cf. Ps 118:8-9), God nevertheless providentially used this exile to further shape David, hone his military leadership, and remove him from Saul's reach, preparing him for the throne. This verse encapsulates David's human ingenuity and adaptability, but also foreshadows the moral compromises he would make during this difficult period.