Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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. New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version 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. Berean Standard Bible David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did.’” And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory. Berean Literal Bible And man and woman David would not save alive to be brought to Gath, saying, “Lest they declare it against us, saying, ‘Thus David did.’” And thus was his custom all the days that he dwelt in the field of the Philistines. King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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. New American Standard Bible And David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring to Gath, saying, “Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, ‘This is what David has done, and this has been his practice all the time that he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” NASB 1995 David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring to Gath, saying, “Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, ‘So has David done and so has been his practice all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” NASB 1977 And David did not leave a man or a woman alive, to bring to Gath, saying, “Lest they should tell about us, saying, ‘So has David done and so has been his practice all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” Legacy Standard Bible And David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring to Gath, saying, “Lest they tell about us, saying, ‘So has David done and so has been his custom all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” Amplified Bible David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring news to Gath, saying [to himself], “Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, ‘This is what David has done, and this has been his practice all the time that he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” Berean Annotated Bible David (beloved) did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath (winepress), for he said, “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did. And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine (immigrants) territory. Christian Standard Bible David did not let a man or woman live to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Or they will inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’ ” This was David’s custom during the whole time he stayed in the Philistine territory. Holman Christian Standard Bible David did not let a man or woman live to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Or they will inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’” This was David’s custom during the whole time he stayed in the Philistine territory. American Standard Version And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell of us, saying, So did David, and so hath been his manner all the while he hath dwelt in the country of the Philistines. Contemporary English Version That's why David killed everyone in the towns he attacked. He thought, "If I let any of them live, they might come to Gath and tell what I've really been doing." David made these raids all the time he was in Philistia. English Revised Version And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying: So did David, and so hath been his manner all the while he hath dwelt in the country of the Philistines. GOD'S WORD® Translation He did not bring a single man or woman back to Gath alive. He thought, "They could tell Achish what I [really] did." This was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. Good News Translation David would kill everyone, men and women, so that no one could go back to Gath and report what he and his men had really done. This is what David did the whole time he lived in Philistia. International Standard Version David did not leave a man or woman alive to bring to Gath. He told himself, "Otherwise, they'll say, 'This is what David is doing, and this has been his practice all the time he has lived in Philistine territory.'" NET Bible Neither man nor woman would David leave alive so as to bring them back to Gath. He was thinking, "This way they can't tell on us, saying, 'This is what David did.'" Such was his practice the entire time that he lived in the country of the Philistines. New Heart English Bible And neither man nor woman would he leave alive to be brought to Gath, thinking, "Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, ‘This is what David did,’ and this has been his practice all the time he lived in the country of the Philistines." Webster's Bible Translation And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should inform against us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDavid did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did.’” And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory. World English Bible David saved neither man nor woman alive to bring them to Gath, saying, “Lest they should tell about us, saying, ‘David did this, and this has been his way all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionDavid keeps alive neither man nor woman, to bring in [word] to Gath, saying, “Lest they declare [it] against us, saying, Thus David has done, and thus [is] his custom all the days that he has dwelt in the fields of the Philistines.” Berean Literal Bible And man and woman David would not save alive to be brought to Gath, saying, “Lest they declare it against us, saying, ‘Thus David did.’” And thus was his custom all the days that he dwelt in the field of the Philistines. Young's Literal Translation Neither man nor woman doth David keep alive, to bring in word to Gath, saying, 'Lest they declare it against us, saying, Thus hath David done, and thus is his custom all the days that he hath dwelt in the fields of the Philistines.' Smith's Literal Translation And David will not preserve alive a man and woman to bring to Gath, saying, Lest they shall announce against us, saying, Thus did David, and thus his judgment all the days which he dwelt in the field of the rovers. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd David saved neither man nor woman, neither brought he any of them to Geth, saying: Lest they should speak against us. So did David, and such was his proceeding all the days that he dwelt in the country of the Philistines. Catholic Public Domain Version Neither man nor woman was left alive by David. Neither did he lead back any of them to Gath, saying, “Lest perhaps they may speak against us.” David did these things. And this was his decision during all the days that he lived in the region of the Philistines. New American Bible David never left a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath. He thought, “They will betray us and say, ‘This is what David did.’ ” This was his custom as long as he lived in Philistine territory. New Revised Standard Version David left neither man nor woman alive to be brought back to Gath, thinking, “They might tell about us, and say, ‘David has done so and so.’” Such was his practice all the time he lived in the country of the Philistines. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd David spared neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, Thus David has done, and such was his custom all the while he dwelt in the land of the Philistines. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David did not save a man or a woman, so that he would come to Gath saying, “They will not talk about us”, and they would say: “Thus David did”, and this was his custom all the days when David dwelt in the land of the Philistines" OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And David left neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying: 'Lest they should tell on us, saying: So did David, and so hath been his manner all the while he hath dwelt in the country of the Philistines.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And I have not saved man or woman alive to bring them to Geth, saying, Lest they carry a report to Geth against us, saying, These things David does. And this was his manner all the days that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David and the Philistines…10who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.” 11David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did.’” And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory. 12So Achish trusted David, thinking, “Since he has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.”… Cross References David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” Deuteronomy 20:16-17 However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. / For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, Joshua 10:28 On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword, along with its king. He devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. So he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho. for he said, “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did.’” 2 Samuel 1:20 Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. 1 Samuel 21:10-15 That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. / But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” / Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. … 1 Samuel 29:3-5 Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.” / But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men? / Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory. 1 Samuel 29:6-11 So Achish summoned David and told him, “As surely as the LORD lives, you have been upright, and it seems right in my sight that you should march in and out with me in the army, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until this day. But you are not good in the sight of the leaders. / Therefore turn back now and go in peace, so that you will not do anything to displease the leaders of the Philistines.” / “But what have I done?” David replied. “What have you found against your servant, from the day I came to you until today, to keep me from going along to fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” … 1 Samuel 30:1-2 On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way. 1 Chronicles 12:1-2 Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): Joshua 11:14 The Israelites took for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but they put all the people to the sword until they had completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone who breathed. 2 Samuel 8:2 David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute. 2 Samuel 8:12 from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 2 Samuel 12:31 David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 18:2 David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute. 1 Chronicles 18:11 and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all these nations—from Edom and Moab, and from the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites. 1 Chronicles 20:3 David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. And he did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem. Treasury of Scripture 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 dwells in the country of the Philistines. Lest 1 Samuel 22:22 And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house. Proverbs 12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Jump to Previous Alive Country David Dwelleth Dwelt Inform Manner Otherwise Philistines Practice Saved TidingsJump to Next Alive Country David Dwelleth Dwelt Inform Manner Otherwise Philistines Practice Saved Tidings1 Samuel 27 1. Saul, hearing David to be in Gath, seeks no more for him5. David begs Ziklag of Achish 8. He, invading other countries, persuades Achish he fought against Judah. David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath David's actions here reflect a strategic decision to prevent any survivors from reporting his true activities to Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. This decision can be seen as a wartime tactic to protect his position and the safety of his men. In the ancient Near Eastern context, it was not uncommon for military leaders to eliminate potential threats to their security. David's actions, while harsh, were aimed at maintaining the trust of Achish, who believed David was raiding Israelite territories. This reflects the complex and often brutal nature of ancient warfare and survival. for he said, “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did.’” And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe future king of Israel, who at this time is living among the Philistines to escape King Saul's pursuit. 2. Philistine Territory The region where David sought refuge, specifically in the city of Gath, under the rule of King Achish. 3. Gath A Philistine city where David and his men resided during this period. 4. King Achish The Philistine king of Gath who allowed David to stay in his territory. 5. Raids David conducted raids against various groups while living in Philistine territory, ensuring no survivors to prevent intelligence from reaching Achish. Teaching Points Trust in God's SovereigntyDespite David's actions, God was working through his circumstances to fulfill His promises. We can trust that God is sovereign over our lives, even when we face difficult decisions. Moral Complexity David's actions raise questions about morality and survival. As believers, we must navigate complex situations with wisdom and seek God's guidance. The Consequences of Fear David's fear of being discovered led him to extreme measures. Fear can drive us to make decisions that compromise our values; we must rely on faith rather than fear. God's Protection and Provision Even in enemy territory, God provided for David. This reminds us that God can provide for us in unexpected ways and places. Integrity in Leadership David's actions, while strategic, challenge us to consider the importance of integrity and transparency, especially in leadership roles. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 27:11?2. How does David's strategy in 1 Samuel 27:11 demonstrate wisdom and discernment? 3. What can we learn about God's protection from David's actions in this chapter? 4. How does 1 Samuel 27:11 connect to Jesus' teachings on being "wise as serpents"? 5. How can we apply David's approach to handling threats in our own lives? 6. What does David's decision in 1 Samuel 27:11 reveal about trusting God's plan? 7. Why did David leave no survivors in 1 Samuel 27:11? 8. How does 1 Samuel 27:11 align with God's commandment against murder? 9. What historical evidence supports the events in 1 Samuel 27:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 27? 11. Are there historical or archaeological records that confirm David's stay in Philistine territory mentioned in 1 Samuel 27? 12. How can David's earlier triumphs over the Philistines, such as in 1 Samuel 17, be reconciled with Achish's acceptance of him in 1 Samuel 29? 13. In 1 Samuel 29:3-5, why would the Philistines fear David so abruptly if Achish had trusted him for an extended time? 14. Does the portrayal of David living among the Philistines in 1 Samuel 29 contradict any archaeological or historical evidence concerning Gath or its rulers? What Does 1 Samuel 27:11 Mean David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath“David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath”. • David’s raids targeted the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites (1 Samuel 27:8-9), peoples already under divine judgment (Deuteronomy 20:16-18; 1 Samuel 15:3). • By eliminating every inhabitant, David removed witnesses who could reveal his true movements and loyalties. • Ancient warfare often involved total destruction of enemy populations (Joshua 6:21). The text reports the fact without endorsing undue cruelty; it shows David acting within the era’s war practices while simultaneously fulfilling earlier commands regarding these specific peoples. • The narrative underscores God’s sovereign protection: even while David lived among enemies, none could expose him or thwart God’s plan to establish him as king (Psalm 33:10-11). Otherwise they will report us “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did.’” • David feared that survivors would reach Achish of Gath and reveal that his raids struck non-Israeli foes, not Judah, contradicting the story he fed Achish (1 Samuel 27:10-12). • By silencing informants, David preserved his cover, safeguarding both his men and Israel’s southern borders from Philistine suspicion. • Scripture records David’s use of shrewdness: “Be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Though his methods were harsh, the motive was protective, not wanton. • The tension between faith and strategy appears elsewhere in David’s life (1 Samuel 21:10-15). God often works through ordinary, even flawed, human calculations (Proverbs 16:9; Romans 8:28). This was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory “And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory.” • Duration: “a year and four months” (1 Samuel 27:7). The pattern shows disciplined consistency, not a one-off lapse. • God preserved David through those 16 months, preventing any breach of his ruse (1 Samuel 29:3-5). • The long pattern foreshadows David’s future as a warrior-king able to guard Israel’s borders (2 Samuel 8:1-14). • Yet the narrative invites sober reflection: even God’s anointed can act in morally gray ways, reminding readers to weigh every decision against God’s unchanging standards (Psalm 19:7-11; 1 Corinthians 10:11). summary David’s elimination of witnesses during his Philistine sojourn was a calculated wartime tactic aimed at safeguarding his people and maintaining a deceptive cover before Achish. Scripture presents the facts without excusing sin, while simultaneously showing God’s providence in protecting and preparing David for kingship. The passage highlights God’s faithfulness, human complexity, and the ultimate certainty that His purposes stand. (11) And David saved neither man nor woman.--This and the following (12th) verse gives the reason for these atrocious acts of murder. The wild and irresponsible Arab chief alone seemed represented in David in this dark portion of his career. This saddest of all the chapters in David's life follows close upon the death of Samuel. It appears that the holy man of God had exercised, all the time that he had lived, a great and beneficent influence over the son of Jesse; and when he passed away, other and less wise counsellors prevailed with David. Want of trust in God and a craven fear for his own life (see his words, 1Samuel 26:20; 1Samuel 26:24) drove him to leave the land of Israel, and to seek a refuge among his Philistine foes. One sin led on to another, when, in Philistia--to preserve that life of his--he commenced a course of duplicity, to carry out which he was driven to commit these terrible cruelties. "The prisoners taken would naturally have been part of the spoil; but David dared not bring them to Gath, lest his deceit should be discovered. Obviously these tribes (Geshurites, Gezerites, and Amalekites) were allies of the Philistines."Saying, So did David, and so will be his manner.--The English Version of this passage is in accordance with the present punctuation in the Hebrew Bible, and represents these words as the saying of the slaughtered enemies. This is of itself most improbable. The Hebrew, too, will scarcely bear this interpretation; for the verb "to dwell" is a past, and cannot correctly be rendered "while he dwelleth." The Masoretic punctuation of the present Hebrew text is of comparatively recent date. It is better, then, in their place, with Maurer and Keil, the LXX., and Vulg. Versions, simply to put a stop after the words "so did David," and then begin a new sentence, which will read, "And so was his manner all the while he dwelt in the land of the Philistines;" understanding these words as a remark of the narrator of the history. Verses 11, 12. - To bring tidings. The A.V. is wrong in adding the word tidings, as the Hebrew means "to bring them to Gath." Prisoners to be sold as slaves formed an important part of the spoil of war in ancient times. But David, acting in accordance with the cruel customs of warfare in his days, and which he practised even when he had no urgent necessity as here (see 2 Samuel 8:2), put all his prisoners to death, lest, if taken to Gath and sold, they should betray him. The A.V. makes his conduct even more sanguinary, and supposes that he suffered none to escape. And so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth. The Hebrew is "he dwelt," and thus the rendering of the A.V., though supported by the Masoretic punctuation, is untenable. But this punctuation is of comparatively recent date, and of moderate authority. The words really belong to the narrator, and should be translated, "And so was his manner all the days that he dwelt in the field of the Philistines." It seems that Achish was completely deceived by David, and supposing that his conduct would make him hateful forever to his own tribesmen of Judah, and so preclude his return home, he rejoiced in him as one who would always remain his faithful vassal and adherent.
Hebrew Davidדָוִ֗ד (ḏā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse did not {leave} לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no a man וְאִ֨ישׁ (wə·’îš) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person or woman וְאִשָּׁ֜ה (wə·’iš·šāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female alive יְחַיֶּ֣ה (yə·ḥay·yeh) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2421: To live, to revive to be brought לְהָבִ֥יא (lə·hā·ḇî) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to Gath, גַת֙ (ḡaṯ) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1661: Gath -- 'wine press', a Philistine city for he said, לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “Otherwise פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction Strong's 6435: Removal, lest they will report יַגִּ֥דוּ (yag·gi·ḏū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous us, עָלֵ֖ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against saying, לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘This is what כֹּֽה־ (kōh-) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now David דָוִד֙ (ḏā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse did.’” עָשָׂ֤ה (‘ā·śāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make And this וְכֹ֣ה (wə·ḵōh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now was David’s custom מִשְׁפָּט֔וֹ (miš·pā·ṭōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style the whole כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every time הַ֨יָּמִ֔ים (hay·yā·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day he lived יָשַׁ֖ב (yā·šaḇ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry in Philistine פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ (p̄ə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia territory. בִּשְׂדֵ֥ה (biś·ḏêh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7704: Field, land Links 1 Samuel 27:11 NIV1 Samuel 27:11 NLT 1 Samuel 27:11 ESV 1 Samuel 27:11 NASB 1 Samuel 27:11 KJV 1 Samuel 27:11 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 27:11 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 27:11 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 27:11 French Bible 1 Samuel 27:11 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 27:11 David saved neither man nor woman alive (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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