1 Samuel 27

Davi entre os Filisteus

1 Davi, contudo, pensou: “Algum dia serei morto por Saul. É melhor fugir para a terra dos filisteus. Então Saul desistirá de procurar-me por todo o Israel, e escaparei dele”.

2 Assim, Davi e os seiscentos homens que estavam com ele foram até Aquis, filho de Maoque, rei de Gate.

3 Davi e seus soldados se estabeleceram em Gate, acolhidos por Aquis. Cada homem levou sua família, e Davi, suas duas mulheres: Ainoã, de Jezreel, e Abigail, que fora mulher de Nabal, de Carmelo.

4 Quando contaram a Saul que Davi havia fugido para Gate, ele parou de persegui-lo.

5 Então Davi disse a Aquis: “Se eu conto com a tua simpatia, dá-me um lugar numa das cidades desta terra onde eu possa viver. Por que este teu servo viveria contigo na cidade real?”

6 Naquele dia Aquis deu-lhe Ziclague. Por isso, Ziclague pertence aos reis de Judá até hoje.

7 Davi morou em território filisteu durante um ano e quatro meses.

8 Ele e seus soldados atacavam os gesuritas, os gersitas e os amalequitas, povos que, desde tempos antigos, habitavam a terra que se estende desde Sur até o Egito.

9 Quando Davi atacava a região, não poupava homens nem mulheres e tomava ovelhas, bois, jumentos, camelos e roupas. Depois retornava a Aquis.

10 Quando Aquis perguntava: “Quem você atacou hoje?” Davi respondia: “O Neguebe de Judá” ou “O Neguebe de Jerameel” ou “O Neguebe dos queneus”.

11 Ele matava todos, homens e mulheres, para que não fossem levados a Gate, pois pensava: “Eles poderão denunciar-me”. Este foi o seu procedimento enquanto viveu em território filisteu.

12 Aquis confiava em Davi e dizia: “Ele se tornou tão odiado por seu povo, os israelitas, que será meu servo para sempre”.

1 Samuel 27 Commentary

Chapter 27

David retires to Gath. (1-7) David deceives Achish. (8-12)

Verses 1-7 Unbelief is a sin that easily besets even good men, when without are fightings, and within are fears; and it is a hard matter to get over them. Lord, increase our faith! We may blush to think that the word of a Philistine should go further than the word of an Israelite, and that the city of Gath should be a place of refuge for a good man, when the cities of Israel refuse him a safe abode. David gained a comfortable settlement, not only at a distance from Gath, but bordering upon Israel, where he might keep up a correspondence with his own countrymen.

Verses 8-12 While David was in the land of the Philistines, he attacked some remains of the devoted nations. The people whom he cut off were long before doomed to destruction. It is often wisdom to shun public notice, but we must in no situation be idle. We must always try to do somewhat in the cause of God. This expedition David hid from Achish. But an equivocation which serves the purpose of a lie, is as like to it as a hypocrite is to a profane person, it is only better in appearance, therefore more dangerous. Yet, though believers often manifest imperfections, they can never be prevailed upon to renounce the service of God, and to unite interests with his enemies, or finally to become the servants of sin and Satan. But what a train of evils follow from unbelief! When we forget the Lord's past mercies, and his gracious assurances, we shall be overwhelmed with desponding fears, and probably be led to adopt some dishonourable method to get rid of our troubles. Nothing can so effectually establish us in holy tempers and practices, and preserve us from perplexities, as firm, unshaken dependence upon the promises of God in Christ Jesus.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 27

David, fearing he should perish by the hand of Saul at one time or another, went into the land of the Philistines, which Saul hearing of, sought no more after him, 1Sa 27:1-4; and finding favour in the eyes of the king of Gath, desired a place in his country might be given him to reside in; and accordingly Ziklag was given him, 1Sa 27:5-7; from whence he made excursions into the land of the Amalekites, and others, and utterly destroyed them; but imposed on the king of Gath, pretending he had made his road into the southern parts of Judah, 1Sa 27:8-12.