Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary1 Samuel 27

David Returns to GathThis passage describes a difficult moment in David's life, when his faith wavered and he decided to seek refuge among the Philistines rather than continuing to trust in God's protection. While understandable given the circumstances, David's decision was not the wisest course of action and led to some concerning consequences.v. 1: David's faith was shaken, and he said to himself, "I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul" . Even though God had promised David the kingdom and protected him many times, David's fear overcame his trust in God's plan. This shows how even strong believers can struggle with doubt when facing persistent trials.Instead of seeking God's guidance through prayer or the ephod, David decided to take matters into his own hands. He concluded that the best thing was to "speedily escape into the land of the Philistines" . This was a risky decision, as David had previously fled the Philistines and would now be living among his enemies.

v. 2-3: David went to the Philistine city of Gath with his 600 men and their families. Achish the Philistine king welcomed David, perhaps hoping to use him against Israel (1 Samuel 27:2-3 ). This move put David outside the land God had appointed him to rule, and it later led to complications.

v. 4: When Saul heard that David had fled to the Philistines, he stopped pursuing him. However, this was likely not out of any true change of heart, but because he could no longer reach David . Saul was still David's enemy, but he had to be content with David's exile.

v. 5-7: David requested a more remote town to live in, rather than staying in the royal city of Gath. Achish granted him the town of Ziklag, which had belonged to Judah but was now under Philistine control (1 Samuel 27:5-7 ). This allowed David some independence and proximity to his own people, though he was still living among the Philistines.The passage shows how even great leaders can struggle with fear and make unwise choices when they take their eyes off God. David's decision to flee to the Philistines, while understandable, was not the best path forward. This incident reminds us to always trust in God's protection and guidance, even in our darkest moments.

David Smites the AmalekitesThis passage tells what David did while living in the land of the Philistines. He led attacks against the Amalekites and other groups that God had long ago commanded to be destroyed. David was successful in these battles and brought back supplies for his people. However, he was not completely honest with Achish, the Philistine king, about his actions.v. 8-9: David attacked the Amalekites, Geshurites, and Gezrites, leaving none alive and taking much spoil (1 Samuel 27:8-9 ). These groups were enemies of Israel, and God had commanded their destruction long before. David was fulfilling God’s command and also providing for his men. He did not stay idle while in Philistine territory, but continued to fight the Lord

v. 10-11: When Achish asked David where he had raided, David answered, “Against the south of Judah” (1 Samuel 27:10 ). This was not entirely true. David made Achish believe he was attacking his own people, Israel, when he was actually fighting Israel’s enemies. David also made sure that no one was left alive to report what really happened (1 Samuel 27:11 ). He did this to protect himself and his men, but it was not completely honest and later he would regret such actions, praying, “Remove from me the way of lying” (Psalm 119:29 ).

v. 12: Achish trusted David even more, thinking David had made himself hated by his own people and would now serve the Philistines forever (1 Samuel 27:12 ). David’s cleverness kept him safe for a time, but it also put him in a difficult position, caught between two nations.