1 Samuel 27:2

2 So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath.

1 Samuel 27:2 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
2 And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
English Standard Version (ESV)
2 So David arose and went over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 So David took his 600 men and went over and joined Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.
The Message Bible (MSG)
2 So David left; he and his six hundred men went to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath.
American Standard Version (ASV)
2 And David arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men that were with him, unto Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
2 So David went with his 600 men to King Achish of Gath, Moach's son.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
2 So David set out with his 600 men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
2 So David and his 600 men left Israel. They went to Achish, the king of Gath. He was the son of Maoch.

1 Samuel 27:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 27:2

And David arose
From the place where he was:

and he passed over;
the borders of land of Canaan:

with the six hundred men that [were] with him;
having neither lost any, nor had any added to him, since he was at Keilah, ( 1 Samuel 23:13 ) ;

unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath;
whether this was the same Achish David was with before, ( 1 Samuel 21:10-13 ) , is not certain; it seems as if he was not the same, since he is described as the son of Maoch, as if it was to distinguish him from him; though it is not improbable that he was the same person. Some think F1 that he is described not from his father, but from his mother, whose name was Maacha. The circumstances of David were now very much altered from what they were when he went to Gath before; then he went secretly, now openly; then as a person unknown, now as well known; then alone, now with six hundred men; then when discovered he was seized by the princes of Gath, and brought before the king, and was driven from his presence; but now he came either at the invitation of Achish, hearing how he had been treated by Saul, and thinking to attach him to his interest, and make him more and more the enemy of Saul, and so free himself from a very powerful one, and of whose wisdom and prudence, and military skill, and courage, and valour, he might hope to avail himself; or David sent an embassy to him, to treat with him about his coming into his country, and settlement in it, and terms to mutual satisfaction were agreed upon.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 Hieron. Trad. Heb, in 2 Reg. fol. 78. E.

1 Samuel 27:2 In-Context

1 But David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”
2 So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath.
3 David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal.
4 When Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.
5 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?”

Cross References 3

  • 1. 1 Samuel 30:9; 2 Samuel 2:3; 1 Samuel 25:13
  • 2. S 1 Samuel 21:10
  • 3. 1 Kings 2:39
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.