1 Samuel 27:1 “David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swep…”

1 Samuel 27:1

David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

World English Bible

David said in his heart, “I will now perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel. So I will escape out of his hand.”

American Standard Version

And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

Geneva Bible 1599

And Dauid said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: is it not better for me that I saue my selfe in the lande of the Philistims, and that Saul may haue no hope of me to seeke me any more in all the coastes of Israel, and so escape out of his hand?

Darby Translation

And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me to seek me any more within all the limits of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand.

Young's Literal Translation

And David saith unto his heart, 'Now am I consumed one day by the hand of Saul; there is nothing for me better than that I diligently escape unto the land of the Philistines, and Saul hath been despairing of me — of seeking me any more in all the border of Israel, and I have escaped out of his hand.'

Bible in Basic English

And David said to himself, Some day death will come to me by the hand of Saul: the only thing for me to do is to get away into the land of the Philistines; then Saul will give up hope of taking me in any part of the land of Israel: and so I may be able to get away from him.

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Cross references

“A. M. 2946. B.C. 1058. And David”

Isaiah 40:27–31 Isaiah 51:12 1 Samuel 16:13 1 Samuel 23:17 1 Samuel 16:1 1 Samuel 25:30

Isaiah 40:27–31 · BSB

Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”?

Isaiah 51:12 · BSB

“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?

1 Samuel 16:13 · BSB

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 23:17 · BSB

saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.”

1 Samuel 16:1 · BSB

Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his…

1 Samuel 25:30 · BSB

When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel,

“there is nothing”

1 Samuel 22:5 Exodus 14:12 Numbers 14:3 Proverbs 3:5 Proverbs 3:6 Isaiah 30:15

1 Samuel 22:5 · BSB

Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Depart and go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

Exodus 14:12 · BSB

Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Numbers 14:3 · BSB

Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

Proverbs 3:5 · BSB

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

Proverbs 3:6 · BSB

in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 30:15 · BSB

For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence— but you were not willing.”

“into the land”

1 Samuel 21:10–15 1 Samuel 27:10 1 Samuel 27:11 1 Samuel 28:1 1 Samuel 28:2 1 Samuel 29:2–11

1 Samuel 21:10–15 · BSB

That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath.

1 Samuel 27:10 · BSB

who 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.”

1 Samuel 27:11 · BSB

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.

1 Samuel 28:1 · BSB

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.”

1 Samuel 28:2 · BSB

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.”

1 Samuel 29:2–11 · BSB

As the Philistine leaders marched out with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

2So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.

Read 1 Samuel 27