1 Samuel 27:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 27:8-12

Here is an account of David's actions while he was in the land of the Philistines, a fierce attack he made upon some remains of the devoted nations, his success in it, and the representation he gave of it to Achish. 1. We may acquit him of injustice and cruelty in this action because those people whom he cut off were such as heaven had long since doomed to destruction, and he that did it was one whom heaven had ordained to dominion; so that the thing was very fit to be done, and he was very... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 27:12

And Achish believed David ,.... As he would have him understand his story; imposing upon him by ambiguous terms, insinuating he had been against the southern parts of Judah, when he had been against foreign nations that lay to the south of Judah: saying, he hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him ; they shall never forgive him the destruction of their cities, and the inhabitants of them, and the plunder of their goods and cattle; his name will be had in the utmost detestation... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 27:12

He hath made his people - utterly to abhor him - This deception, which Dr. Delaney says "did harm to nobody, and to the account of which he is at an utter loss what degree of guilt to charge," imposed upon Achish, had the most direct tendency to make him imagine himself secure, while in the utmost danger; and to have a faithful friend and able ally in David, while he was the veriest enemy he could possibly have. Shame on him who becomes the apologist of such conduct! As to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 27:5-12

The perils of expediency. The facts are— 1 . David, being unwilling to live in the royal city, seeks and obtains Ziklag as his place of abode. 2 . During his stay there he makes war on neighbouring tribes. 3 . He gives Achish the impression that he was acting in hostility to Judah, and so creates the belief that henceforth he must be an ally of the Philistine. The painful backsliding of David is a reminder of the frailty of the best of men, and should induce great watchfulness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 27:11-12

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... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 27:1-12

The move to Philistia (26:1-27:12)Although he had every intention of killing Nabal, David still refused to harm Saul; but Saul remained determined to harm David (26:1-5). When another opportunity arose to kill Saul, David refused to act. He was content to leave the matter with God, who would remove Saul when he saw fit (6-12).Once again David produced proof that he had no evil intentions towards Saul (13-17). But clearly David was becoming tired of this continual flight from the mad king. Not... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 27:12

People Israel = Israel's People. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 27:1-12

4. The end of Saul’s reign chs. 27-31David’s commitment to God resulted in his continuing to be God’s instrument of blessing to the Israelites and His instrument of judgment to Israel’s enemies. This was true in spite of David’s failure to seek guidance from the Lord before moving back into Philistine territory. David’s strength continued to grow as Saul’s continued to wane. In these last chapters of 1 Samuel the writer continued to move back and forth: first describing David’s activities, and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 27:8-12

David’s raids to the south 27:8-12David used the opportunity that his location afforded to defeat and to annihilate the common enemies of Israel and the Philistines that lived to Israel’s southwest. David did not leave any survivors, as the Lord had commanded (Deuteronomy 3:18-20; Joshua 1:13). He was clearing the Promised Land of foreign foes so the Israelites could occupy it. David walked a thin line of deception but was able to convince Achish that his victories were for the welfare of the... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 27:1-12

David flees to Gath, and obtains Ziklag from Achish2. David’s position now as the captain of 600 men was quite different from what it was in 1 Samuel 21:10. 7. A full year and four months] The phrase probably means ’about four months,’ lit. ’days and four months.’ 8 The Geshurites] were the inhabitants of a district in the S. of Philistia: see Joshua 13:2. They must not be confused with the Geshurites who lived E. of the Jordan. The tribes mentioned here were constant enemies of Israel whom... read more

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