1 Samuel 27 6

1 Samuel 27:6 kjv

Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.

1 Samuel 27:6 nkjv

So Achish gave him Ziklag that day. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.

1 Samuel 27:6 niv

So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, and it has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since.

1 Samuel 27:6 esv

So that day Achish gave him Ziklag. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.

1 Samuel 27:6 nlt

So Achish gave him the town of Ziklag (which still belongs to the kings of Judah to this day),

1 Samuel 27 verses

1 Samuel 27 6 Meaning

This verse records the historical moment when Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, permanently granted the city of Ziklag to David. This occurred during David's exile, while he was fleeing from King Saul. The concluding phrase, "therefore Ziklag pertains unto the kings of Judah unto this day," is an editorial note from the writer's perspective, highlighting the enduring legal and historical significance of this act: Ziklag, originally a city in Judah's allotted territory that had come under Philistine control, officially became part of the Davidic inheritance and the later Judean monarchy's domain from that point forward.

1 Samuel 27 6 Context

1 Samuel Chapter 27 finds David in a desperate situation. Having been relentlessly pursued by King Saul for an extended period (chaps. 23-26), David concluded that he could not survive indefinitely within Israel's territory. He therefore made a strategic, albeit precarious, decision to seek refuge in the land of the Philistines, Israel's traditional enemies. He returned to Gath, the city ruled by King Achish, whom he had previously encountered (1 Sam 21).

David sought not merely refuge but a secure base for himself and his 600 loyal followers and their families. This request (made in 1 Sam 27:5) for a city "in some town in the country" rather than remaining in Gath itself, reveals David's astute leadership. He wished to avoid being too closely under Achish's observation and also to maintain a certain level of independence to carry out his own activities. King Achish, likely seeing David as a valuable asset – a powerful mercenary estranged from Israel's king – agreed to this request. Ziklag, though previously part of Judah's inheritance (Josh 15:31) but then under Philistine control, was given to David, placing him strategically on the frontier.

Historically, this period marks a crucial preparatory phase for David's kingship. His time in Ziklag allowed him to operate with greater autonomy, engage in skirmishes that filled his coffers and gained the loyalty of local clans (without compromising his future role as Israel's king), and refine his military leadership, all while safely out of Saul's immediate reach.

1 Samuel 27 6 Word analysis

• Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day:

  • Then: Signifies immediate consequence or chronological progression. Following David's request in the preceding verse (1 Sam 27:5), Achish promptly responds.
  • Achish (אָכִישׁ, 'Achish): King of Gath, a Philistine city. His act demonstrates an unexpected level of trust in David, seeing him as a disloyal Israelite ally against Saul rather than a long-term threat. This reflects his strategic political calculation and the fluid dynamics between rival states.
  • gave (נָתַן, nathan): Implies a definitive transfer of possession and authority. This was not a temporary loan but a formal grant of the city. In the Ancient Near East, vassal states or foreign exiles might be granted territories by stronger powers.
  • him: Refers to David. The grant was personal to David, validating his request for his entire company.
  • Ziklag (צִקְלַג, Tsiqlag): A town located in the Negeb (southern desert region) on the border between Judah and Philistia. Historically allotted to Judah (Josh 15:31) and then Simeon within Judah (Josh 19:5), it had come under Philistine control. Its return to Israelite hands through David's time as king solidifies its ultimate connection to the Abrahamic promise of land.
  • that day: Emphasizes the swiftness and immediacy of Achish's response to David's request, demonstrating his readiness to establish David as a vassal or client.

• therefore Ziklag pertains unto the kings of Judah unto this day:

  • therefore: Links Achish's act directly to the enduring historical outcome. It explains the consequence and lasting significance of the transfer.
  • Ziklag pertains unto the kings of Judah: This confirms Ziklag's status as part of the royal domain of the southern kingdom. It means it became a permanent possession, passed down through the Davidic lineage ruling Judah. This emphasizes David's legitimate acquisition despite his means (receiving it from a Philistine king). It suggests a providential hand in preparing territory for David's reign.
  • kings of Judah: Explicitly identifies the future monarchs of the Southern Kingdom as rightful inheritors of Ziklag's possession, affirming David's foundational role.
  • unto this day (עַד־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, 'ad-hayyom hazzeh): A common ancient literary and historical marker found throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. It signifies that the situation or condition described still existed at the time of the narration's writing. It lends historical weight and confirmation to the narrative, indicating that the status of Ziklag as Judahite territory was well-established by the time this account was recorded, likely after the united monarchy dissolved or during the time of the kings of Judah. This editorial note legitimizes David's action within the divine plan for Israel.

1 Samuel 27 6 Bonus section

• Strategic Frontier: Ziklag's location on the edge of the Negeb desert region made it an ideal buffer zone for both the Philistines and, later, for the emerging Kingdom of Judah. It provided a base for controlling movements between the coastal plain and the southern highlands.
• A "Gift" with Deception: While Achish gave Ziklag, David did not fulfill Achish's expectations of being a reliable Philistine ally against Israel. Instead, he systematically raided other enemies (Amalekites, Geshurites, Girzites), presenting the spoils in a way that convinced Achish he was raiding Judah, thereby earning trust. This complex maneuver highlights David's cunning and desperate circumstances, showing how he had to navigate morally ambiguous situations by faith.
• The Providential Hand: David's sojourn in Philistia and the acquisition of Ziklag, while a choice born of despair and flight from Saul, ultimately served God's purpose. It hardened David and his men, forged deep loyalties, and strategically positioned him geographically for when the throne of Judah would open to him. God was working in ways not immediately apparent to any human actor.

1 Samuel 27 6 Commentary

1 Samuel 27:6 is a concise verse pregnant with theological and historical significance. It encapsulates a pivotal moment in David's exile and preparation for kingship. Achish's decision to grant Ziklag to David was rooted in Philistine realpolitik; he perceived David as a valuable renegade from Israel who would serve his interests. He intended to bind David as a loyal mercenary or vassal who could raid Israelite territory. David, however, masterfully leveraged this situation, using Ziklag as a strategic base to consolidate his power and raiding forces, conducting raids on desert tribes while deceiving Achish into believing he was attacking Judah. This allowed David to gain plunder and support among his people.

The "unto this day" phrase is critical. It shifts the verse from a simple historical report to a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty. Even though David acquired Ziklag from a Philistine king while technically operating as his vassal, the divine narrator affirms its lasting integration into the Davidic monarchy. This emphasizes that God's plan for Israel's leadership was being unfurled even through unconventional means and human decisions, good or ill. Ziklag became not merely a temporary hideout but a permanent fixture in the lineage of the kings of Judah, directly connected to David's burgeoning reign. It served as David's practical "capital in exile," from which he communicated with Israelite elders, amassed support, and developed the leadership skills necessary for his future role. This verse beautifully illustrates how God can use complex geopolitical realities and even human deceit for His overarching purposes in His people's history.