Bible Strands
1 Samuel 27:2
So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative describes David’s departure at the exact moment he executes his internal decision to flee Saul’s pursuit by seeking asylum in Philistine territory.
The words — The Hebrew verbs יָקָם (yaqom) and עָבָר (avar) literally mean “he arose” and “he passed over,” denoting the physical movement of David and his group across a geographic boundary.
The thread — David’s initial flight to Achish is recorded in 1 Samuel 21:10, while the ongoing theme of his military command appears in 1 Samuel 30:8.
Why it lands — The text records David’s pragmatic relocation to Gath to preserve his life, asking the reader to observe how human survival strategies operate within the broader narrative of covenant fulfillment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 21:10 That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath.
- 1 Samuel 25:13 And David said to his men, “Strap on your swords!” So David and all his men strapped on their swords, and about four hundred men followed David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.
- 1 Samuel 30:8 and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.”
- 1 Kings 2:39 After three years, however, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And Shimei was told, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.”