1 Samuel 27:4
New International Version
When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

New Living Translation
Word soon reached Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he stopped hunting for him.

English Standard Version
And when it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer sought him.

Berean Standard Bible
And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

King James Bible
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

New King James Version
And it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath; so he sought him no more.

New American Standard Bible
Now it was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he no longer searched for him.

NASB 1995
Now it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he no longer searched for him.

NASB 1977
Now it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he no longer searched for him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And it was told to Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he no longer searched for him.

Amplified Bible
When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

Christian Standard Bible
When it was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When it was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

American Standard Version
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

Contemporary English Version
When Saul found out that David had run off to Gath, he stopped trying to catch him.

English Revised Version
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he didn't search for him anymore.

Good News Translation
When Saul heard that David had fled to Gath, he gave up trying to find him.

International Standard Version
Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, and he did not continue to search for him.

Majority Standard Bible
And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

NET Bible
When Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he did not mount a new search for him.

New Heart English Bible
Now it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he no longer searched for him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it was told to Saul that David had fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

World English Bible
Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, so he stopped looking for him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it is declared to Saul that David has fled to Gath, and he has not added to seek him anymore.

Young's Literal Translation
And it is declared to Saul that David hath fled to Gath, and he hath not added any more to seek him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was announced to Saul that David fled to Gath; and he will no more add to seek him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Geth, and he sought no more after him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it was reported to Saul that David had fled to Gath. And so, he did not continue to seek him.

New American Bible
When Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.

New Revised Standard Version
When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer sought for him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath; and he sought no more after him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they revealed to Shaul that David came down to Gath, and he did not seek after him again
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath; and he sought no more again for him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it was told Saul that David had fled to Geth; and he no longer sought after him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David and the Philistines
3David 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. 4And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him. 5Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let me be assigned a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. For why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”…

Cross References
1 Samuel 23:14
And David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hill country of the Wilderness of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God would not deliver David into his hand.

1 Samuel 23:27-28
Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” / So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth.

1 Samuel 24:1-2
After Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” / So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to look for David and his men in the region of the Rocks of the Wild Goats.

1 Samuel 26:21
Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”

1 Samuel 28:1-2
Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.” / David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” “Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”

2 Samuel 2:1-3
Some time later, David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” “Go up,” the LORD answered. Then David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” replied the LORD. / So David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. / David also took the men who were with him, each with his household, and they settled in the towns near Hebron.

2 Samuel 5:17-18
When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim.

1 Kings 2:39-40
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.” / So Shimei saddled his donkey and set out to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves, and he brought them back from Gath.

Psalm 18:17-19
He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me. / They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD was my support. / He brought me out into the open; He rescued me because He delighted in me.

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 56:13
For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalm 142:6
Listen to my cry, for I am brought quite low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for they are too strong for me.

Matthew 2:13-15
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Matthew 4:12
When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.

Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.


Treasury of Scripture

And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

he sought

1 Samuel 26:21
Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

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Added David Declared Hearing Longer Saul Searched Seek Sought
1 Samuel 27
1. Saul, hearing David to be in Gath, seeks no more for him
5. David begs Ziklag of Achish
8. He, invading other countries, persuades Achish he fought against Judah.














And when Saul was told
This phrase indicates the communication network and intelligence system in ancient Israel. Saul, as king, had informants and messengers who kept him updated on the movements of his adversaries. The Hebrew root for "told" is "נָגַד" (nagad), which means to declare or make known. This reflects the importance of information and the reliance on human networks for news, contrasting with divine revelation, which often guided David.

that David had fled
The word "fled" comes from the Hebrew "בָּרַח" (barach), meaning to escape or run away. David's flight signifies a strategic retreat rather than cowardice. Historically, David's decision to flee highlights his wisdom and understanding of Saul's relentless pursuit. It also underscores the theme of divine providence, as David's actions are often guided by God's will, ensuring his survival and eventual kingship.

to Gath
Gath was one of the five Philistine city-states and the hometown of Goliath. David's choice to seek refuge in Gath is ironic, given his previous victory over Goliath. This decision reflects David's desperation and strategic acumen, as he sought asylum among Israel's enemies to escape Saul's reach. Archaeological findings in Gath reveal a significant Philistine presence, providing context for David's interactions with Achish, the king of Gath.

he no longer searched for him
Saul's cessation of pursuit is significant. The Hebrew root for "searched" is "בָּקַשׁ" (baqash), meaning to seek or strive after. Saul's relentless pursuit of David was driven by jealousy and fear of losing his throne. The phrase indicates a temporary reprieve for David, orchestrated by divine intervention. It also foreshadows Saul's eventual downfall, as his inability to capture David reflects his waning power and God's favor shifting towards David.

(4) And it was told Saul.--This short statement tells us plainly that up to the moment when Saul heard that David had crossed the frontier, he had not ceased to pursue after him and to seek his life. Ewald considers that it was during the residence at Gath that David exercised himself as a musician in the Gittite--i.e., the Philistine--style, which he afterwards transferred from there to Judah and Jerusalem. (See titles of Psalms 8, 81, 84, "upon the Gittith.") Gittith is a feminine adjective derived from Gath; the words possibly signify, "after the Gittith manner: some peculiar measure of style of Philistine music, or else the reference may be to a Philistine musical instrument."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And when Saul
לְשָׁא֔וּל (lə·šā·’ūl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

learned
וַיֻּגַּ֣ד (way·yug·gaḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

David
דָּוִ֖ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

had fled
בָרַ֥ח (ḇā·raḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1272: To bolt, to flee suddenly

to Gath,
גַּ֑ת (gaṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1661: Gath -- 'wine press', a Philistine city

he no
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

longer
יָסַ֥ף (yā·sap̄)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

searched for him.
לְבַקְשֽׁוֹ׃ (lə·ḇaq·šōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after


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OT History: 1 Samuel 27:4 It was told Saul that David was (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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