Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version 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?” New Living Translation 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.” English Standard Version 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?” Berean Standard Bible Then 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?” Berean Literal Bible And David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give to me a place in one of the cities of the field, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” King James Bible 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? New King James Version 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?” New American Standard Bible Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, have them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, so that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” NASB 1995 Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” NASB 1977 Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” Legacy Standard Bible Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” Amplified Bible Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your sight, let me be given a place [of my own] in one of the cities in the country, so that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” Berean Annotated Bible Then David (beloved) said to Achish (I will blacken), “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?” Christian Standard Bible Now David said to Achish, “If I have found favor with you, let me be given a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Now David said to Achish, “If I have found favor with you, let me be given a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” American Standard Version And David said unto Achish, If now I have found favor in thine eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee? Contemporary English Version One day, David was talking with Achish and said, "If you are happy with me, then let me live in one of the towns in the countryside. I'm not important enough to live here with you in the royal city." English Revised Version And David said unto Achish, If now I have found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee? GOD'S WORD® Translation David said to Achish, "If you will permit me, let me have a place in one of the outlying towns so that I can live there. Why should I live in the royal city with you?" Good News Translation David said to Achish, "If you are my friend, let me have a small town to live in. There is no need, sir, for me to live with you in the capital city." International Standard Version David told Achish, "If it pleases you, give me a place in one of the outlying towns, so I may live there. Why should your servant live with you in the royal city?" NET Bible David said to Achish, "If I have found favor with you, let me be given a place in one of the country towns so that I can live there. Why should your servant settle in the royal city with you?" New Heart English Bible David said to Achish, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?" Webster's Bible Translation And David said to Achish, If I have now found grace in thy 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? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen 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?” World English Bible David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd David says to Achish, “Now if I have found grace in your eyes, they give a place to me in one of the cities of the field, and I dwell there, indeed, why does your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” Berean Literal Bible And David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give to me a place in one of the cities of the field, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” Young's Literal Translation And David saith unto Achish, 'If, I pray thee, I have found grace in thine eyes, they give to me a place in one of the cities of the field, and I dwell there, yea, why doth thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?' Smith's Literal Translation And David will say to Achish, If now I found grace in thine eyes, will they give me a place in one city of the field, and I will dwell there: and why shall thy servant dwell in the city of the kingdom with thee? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd David said to Achis: If I have found favour in thy sight, let a place be given me in one of the cities of this country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee? Catholic Public Domain Version And David said to Achish: “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be given to me in one of the cities of this region, so that I may live there. For why should your servant stay in the city of the king with you?” New American Bible David said to Achish: “If I meet with your approval, let me have a place to live in one of the country towns. Why should your servant live with you in the royal city?” New Revised Standard Version Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your sight, let a place be given me in one of the country towns, so that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd David said to Achish, If I have now found grace in your eyes, let the people give me a place in one of the towns in the desert, that I may dwell there; so that your servant may not dwell in the royal city with you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David said to Akish: “If I have found friendship in your eyes, give to me a place in one of the towns that is in the wilderness, and I shall dwell there, and your Servant will not dwell in the city of the kingdom with you” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And David said unto Achish: 'If now I have found favour in thine eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there; for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And David said to Anchus, If now thy servant has found grace in thine eyes, let them give me, I pray thee, a place in one of the cities in the country, and I will dwell there: for why does thy servant dwell with thee in a royal city? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David and the Philistines…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?” 6That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day it still belongs to the kings of Judah.… Cross References Then David said to Achish, 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 29:3-8 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’?” … “If I have found favor in your eyes, Genesis 18:3 “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Ruth 2:10 At this, she fell on her face, bowing low to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you should take notice of me, even though I am a foreigner?” Esther 5:8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” let me be assigned a place in one of the outlying towns, Numbers 35:2 “Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. Joshua 21:2 at Shiloh in the land of Canaan and said to them, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities in which to live, together with pasturelands for our livestock.” Genesis 47:4 Then they said to Pharaoh, “We have come to live in the land for a time, because there is no pasture for the flocks of your servants, since the famine in the land of Canaan has been severe. So now, please allow your servants to settle in the land of Goshen.” so I can live there. 1 Kings 17:9 “Get up and go to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” Jeremiah 29:5 “Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce. Genesis 47:11 So Joseph settled his father and brothers in the land of Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, the district of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. For why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” 2 Samuel 15:19-21 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland. / In fact, you arrived only yesterday; should I make you wander around with us today while I do not know where I am going? Go back and take your brothers with you. May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.” / But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!” 1 Samuel 29:8 “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?” 2 Samuel 9:7 “Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” 2 Samuel 15:7-9 After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD. / For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’” / “Go in peace,” said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron. 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. Treasury of Scripture And David said to Achish, If I have now found grace 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? some town Genesis 46:34 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, Jump to Previous Abide Achish Assigned Cities City Country David Dwell Eyes Live Right Royal Servant Sight SmallerJump to Next Abide Achish Assigned Cities City Country David Dwell Eyes Live Right Royal Servant Sight Smaller1 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. Then David said to Achish David, the future king of Israel, is speaking to Achish, the king of Gath, a Philistine city. This interaction highlights David's complex relationship with the Philistines, who were traditionally enemies of Israel. David's presence in Gath is a strategic move to escape King Saul's pursuit. Achish's willingness to host David suggests a level of trust or political advantage perceived by 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? Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, who is currently fleeing from King Saul. In this passage, David seeks refuge among the Philistines. 2. Achish The king of Gath, a Philistine city. Achish provides David with asylum, showing a level of trust or political strategy. 3. Gath A major Philistine city where David seeks refuge. It is significant as a place of temporary safety for David. 4. Philistines A group of people often in conflict with Israel. David's alliance with them is complex and strategic. 5. Ziklag The town given to David by Achish, where David and his men settle. It becomes a base for David's operations. Teaching Points Strategic WisdomDavid's request to live in a country town shows his strategic thinking. He seeks to avoid unnecessary conflict and maintain autonomy. Believers can learn the importance of wisdom and discernment in difficult situations. God's Provision in Exile Even in a foreign land, God provides for David. This reminds us that God's provision is not limited by our circumstances or location. Humility and Service David refers to himself as a servant, demonstrating humility. Christians are called to serve others, even in positions of leadership or power. Trust in God's Timing David's time in Philistine territory was part of God's plan to prepare him for kingship. Trusting God's timing is crucial, even when His plans are not immediately clear. Faith in Adversity David's faith remains strong despite being in enemy territory. Believers are encouraged to maintain their faith and integrity, regardless of their surroundings. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 27:5?2. Why did David seek refuge with the Philistines in 1 Samuel 27:5? 3. How does David's request for a city reflect his leadership qualities? 4. What can we learn about God's protection from David's actions in 1 Samuel 27? 5. How does David's strategy in 1 Samuel 27:5 connect to Matthew 10:16? 6. How can we apply David's wisdom in seeking safety to our own lives? 7. Why did David seek refuge with the Philistines in 1 Samuel 27:5? 8. How does David's alliance with Achish align with his faith in God? 9. What does 1 Samuel 27:5 reveal about David's leadership qualities? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 27? 11. Why doesn't the text in 1 Samuel 27 show any direct divine disapproval of David's tactics, despite their questionable ethics? 12. Are there historical or archaeological records that confirm David’s stay in Philistine territory mentioned in 1 Samuel 27? 13. What is the Negev's biblical significance? 14. How do we reconcile David's apparent deception before King Achish (1 Samuel 27:10-12) with biblical moral standards? What Does 1 Samuel 27:5 Mean Then David said to AchishDavid has fled from Saul and now resides among the Philistines (1 Samuel 27:1–4). Speaking directly to Achish, king of Gath, marks a remarkable twist: the anointed king of Israel is addressing a Philistine ruler. Earlier, David had feigned madness before this same leader to save his life (1 Samuel 21:10-15), yet now Achish trusts him (27:2-3). God’s providence is evident—He can turn enemies into protectors when advancing His purposes, just as He later used Cyrus for Israel’s return (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). If I have found favor in your eyes David approaches respectfully, a pattern seen in Scripture whenever someone petitions a superior (Genesis 18:3; Ruth 2:13; Esther 8:5). Though he is God’s chosen king (1 Samuel 16:13), David models humility: • He does not demand; he requests. • He acknowledges Achish’s authority even while ultimately trusting the Lord (Psalm 57:1, a psalm composed “when he fled from Saul in the cave”). • The phrase shows David is aware that favor—whether from man or God—is a gift, echoing Proverbs 16:7: “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him”. let me be assigned a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there David seeks Ziklag (granted in 1 Samuel 27:6). Several practical and spiritual motives rise to the surface: • Protection for his growing band of 600 men and their families (27:3). • Freedom from constant scrutiny inside a Philistine royal city, allowing him to act without compromising Israelite loyalties—a wisdom Jesus later advocates when telling His disciples to be “shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). • Provision: an outlying town gives space for livelihood, foreshadowing God’s pattern of giving His people places of refuge (Joshua 20:1-9; Hebrews 6:18). God even turns this arrangement into a future inheritance for Judah (1 Samuel 27:6 states “Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day”), underscoring Romans 8:28. For why should your servant live in the royal city with you? Calling himself “your servant” displays humility and strategic wisdom: • David avoids rivalry with Philistine lords (compare the suspicion voiced in 1 Samuel 29:4-5). • He seeks distance from pagan practices at court, an echo of Daniel’s later request to avoid defilement at Babylon’s table (Daniel 1:8-14). • By living apart, David can conduct raids against Israel’s enemies (1 Samuel 27:8-9) without Philistine oversight, preserving his true allegiance. His question mirrors Joseph’s respectful negotiation with Pharaoh for Goshen (Genesis 47:4-6). David’s submission is genuine, yet he remains God’s servant first—a delicate balance believers still face (Acts 5:29). summary 1 Samuel 27:5 records David’s humble yet calculated request to live outside Achish’s royal city. He honors authority, seeks favor, and obtains space (Ziklag) that both protects his people and advances God’s larger plan. The verse teaches that humility before men, combined with unwavering trust in the Lord, opens doors and turns even hostile settings into stages for divine purpose. (5) Why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?--The real reason why David wished a separate residence was that he might conduct his forays and other affairs apart from the supervision of his Philistine friends. They had one purpose in welcoming him and his band, he had quite another. Achish trusted that through David's assistance powerful military demonstrations in the southern districts of Saul's kingdom might be made. At this time the Philistine nation were preparing for that grand national effort against Saul which culminated in the battle of Mount Gilboa. David, on the other hand, intended, from a comparatively secure centre of operations somewhere in Philistia, to harry those nomad foes of Israel whose home was in the deserts to the south of Canaan.Verses 5, 6. - If l have now found grace in thine eyes. Now is not an adverb of time, but means "I pray," i.e. If verily I have found favour with thee. David's position was one of difficulty. The fame of his exploits, and of Saul's vain pursuit of him, made Achish no doubt regard him as a bitter foe of the Israelite king, and expect valuable assistance from him; whereas David was unwilling to take up arms even against Saul, and much less against his own countrymen. He is anxious, therefore, to get away from a too close observation of his acts, and requests Achish to give him a place in some town in the country. Hebrew, "a place in one of the cities in the field." Why should thy servant, etc. David's presence with so large a following must in many ways have been inconvenient as well as expensive to Achish. In some small country town David and his men would maintain themselves. Achish accordingly gives him Ziklag, a small place assigned first of all to Judah (Joshua 15:31), but subsequently to Simeon (ibid. 19:5). Its exact position is not known. It seems to have been valued by David's successors, as it is noted that it still belonged unto the kings of Judah. This phrase proves that the Book of Samuel must have been compiled at a date subsequent to the revolt of Jeroboam, while the concluding words, unto this day, equally plainly indicate a date prior to the Babylonian exile.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Davidדָּוִ֜ד (dā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Achish, אָכִ֗ישׁ (’ā·ḵîš) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 397: Achish -- king of Gath “If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not I have found מָצָ֨אתִי (mā·ṣā·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present favor חֵ֤ן (ḥên) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2580: Graciousness, subjective, objective in your eyes, בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain let me be assigned יִתְּנוּ־ (yit·tə·nū-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5414: To give, put, set a place מָק֗וֹם (mā·qō·wm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition in one בְּאַחַ֛ת (bə·’a·ḥaṯ) Preposition-b | Number - feminine singular construct Strong's 259: United, one, first of the outlying הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה (haś·śā·ḏeh) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land towns, עָרֵ֥י (‘ā·rê) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 5892: Excitement so I can live וְאֵ֣שְׁבָה (wə·’ê·šə·ḇāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry there. שָּׁ֑ם (šām) Adverb Strong's 8033: There, then, thither For why וְלָ֨מָּה (wə·lām·māh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what should your servant עַבְדְּךָ֛ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant live יֵשֵׁ֧ב (yê·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry in the royal הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה (ham·mam·lā·ḵāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4467: Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign city בְּעִ֥יר (bə·‘îr) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5892: Excitement with you?” עִמָּֽךְ׃ (‘im·māḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular Strong's 5973: With, equally with Links 1 Samuel 27:5 NIV1 Samuel 27:5 NLT 1 Samuel 27:5 ESV 1 Samuel 27:5 NASB 1 Samuel 27:5 KJV 1 Samuel 27:5 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 27:5 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 27:5 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 27:5 French Bible 1 Samuel 27:5 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 27:5 David said to Achish If now (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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