1 Samuel 27:3
1 Samuel 27:3 in Multiple Translations
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.
And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife.
And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife.
And David and his men were living with Achish at Gath; every man had his family with him, and David had his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail of Carmel, who had been the wife of Nabal.
David and his men settled down with Achish in Gath. All the men had their families with them, and David had his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail from Carmel, Nabal's widow.
And Dauid dwelt with Achish at Gath, he, and his men, euery man with his housholde, Dauid with his two wiues, Ahinoam the Izreelite, and Abigail Nabals wife the Carmelite.
and David dwelleth with Achish in Gath, he and his men, each one with his household, [even] David and his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail wife of Nabal the Carmelitess.
David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’s wife.
And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess Nabal's wife.
And David dwelt with Achis at Geth, he and his men: every man with his household, and David with his two wives, Achinoam the Jezrahelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel.
David and his men and their families started to live there in Gath, the city where king Achish lived. David’s two wives were with him—Ahinoam from Jezreel, and Nabal’s widow Abigail, from Carmel.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 27:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 27:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּשֶׁב֩
דָּוִ֨ד
עִם
אָכִ֥ישׁ
בְּ/גַ֛ת
ה֥וּא
וַ/אֲנָשָׁ֖י/ו
אִ֣ישׁ
וּ/בֵית֑/וֹ
דָּוִד֙
וּ/שְׁתֵּ֣י
נָשָׁ֔י/ו
אֲחִינֹ֨עַם֙
הַ/יִּזְרְעֵאלִ֔ית
וַ/אֲבִיגַ֥יִל
אֵֽשֶׁת
נָבָ֖ל
הַֽ/כַּרְמְלִֽית
וַ/יֵּשֶׁב֩
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דָּוִ֨ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
עִם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep
אָכִ֥ישׁ
ʼĂkîysh
H397
Achish
N-proper
בְּ/גַ֛ת
Gath
H1661
Gath
Prep | N-proper
ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
וַ/אֲנָשָׁ֖י/ו
ʼîysh
H376
man
Conj | N-mp | Suff
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
וּ/בֵית֑/וֹ
bayith
H1004
place
Conj | N-ms | Suff
דָּוִד֙
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
וּ/שְׁתֵּ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Conj | Adj
נָשָׁ֔י/ו
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fp | Suff
אֲחִינֹ֨עַם֙
ʼĂchîynôʻam
H293
Ahinoam
N-proper
הַ/יִּזְרְעֵאלִ֔ית
Yizrᵉʻêʼlîyth
H3159
Jezreelitess
Art | Ngfsa
וַ/אֲבִיגַ֥יִל
ʼĂbîygayil
H26
Abigail
Conj | N-proper
אֵֽשֶׁת
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
נָבָ֖ל
Nâbâl
H5037
Nabal
N-proper
הַֽ/כַּרְמְלִֽית
Karmᵉlîyth
H3762
Carmelitess
Art | Ngfsa
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 27:3
וַ/יֵּשֶׁב֩
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
דָּוִ֨ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
עִם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
אָכִ֥ישׁ
ʼĂkîysh
H397
"Achish"
N-proper
Achish was a Philistine king who lived during the time of the United Monarchy in Israel. He is mentioned in 1 Samuel and Psalm 34, also known as Abimelech.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.21.10; son of: Maoch (H4582); also called Abimelech (NIV: Abimelek) at Psa.34.1; Also named: a.vi.me.lekh (אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ "Abimelech" H0040I) § Achish = "I will blacken (or terrify)" or "only a man" Philistine king of Gath
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: Achish. See also: 1 Samuel 21:11; 1 Samuel 27:12; 1 Kings 2:40.
בְּ/גַ֛ת
Gath
H1661
"Gath"
Prep | N-proper
Gath was a major city of the Philistines, the same people who lived in Goliath's hometown, and its name means winepress in Hebrew.
Definition: § Gath = "winepress" one of the five royal or chief cities of the Philistines and the native city of Goliath
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: Gath. See also: Joshua 11:22; 2 Samuel 21:20; Psalms 56:1.
ה֥וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
וַ/אֲנָשָׁ֖י/ו
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
וּ/בֵית֑/וֹ
bayith
H1004
"place"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
דָּוִד֙
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
וּ/שְׁתֵּ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
נָשָׁ֔י/ו
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
אֲחִינֹ֨עַם֙
ʼĂchîynôʻam
H293
"Ahinoam"
N-proper
Ahinoam was the name of two women in the Bible, one was the wife of King Saul and the other was the wife of King David. Her name means my brother is delight. She was the mother of Amnon, David's son.
Definition: A woman living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.25.43; married to David (H1732); mother of: Amnon (H0550) § Ahinoam = "my brother is delight" 1) wife of Saul, daughter of Ahimaaz 2) wife of David, mother of Amnon, a Jezreelitess
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Ahinoam. See also: 1 Samuel 14:50; 1 Samuel 30:5; 1 Chronicles 3:1.
הַ/יִּזְרְעֵאלִ֔ית
Yizrᵉʻêʼlîyth
H3159
"Jezreelitess"
Art | Ngfsa
A Jezreelitess is a female inhabitant of Jezreel, used to describe Ahinoam, one of David's wives.
Definition: Jezreelitess , of Jezreel "sown of God" 1) a female inhabitant of Jezreel 1a) used only of Ahinoam, a wife of David
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Jezreelitess. See also: 1 Samuel 27:3; 2 Samuel 2:2; 1 Chronicles 3:1.
וַ/אֲבִיגַ֥יִל
ʼĂbîygayil
H26
"Abigail"
Conj | N-proper
Abigail was an Israelite woman, first mentioned in 2 Samuel 17:25, known for her wisdom and kindness. She was the daughter of Nahash and married to Jether, and later to King David. Abigail is also the name of another Israelite woman.
Definition: A woman living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.17.25; daughter of: Nahash (H5176I) and Nahash (H5176I)(?); sister of: David (H1732)(?), Eliab (H0446I)(?), Abinadab (H0041I)(?), Shimeah (H8093)(?), Nethanel (H5417H)(?), Raddai (H7288)(?), Ozem (H0684)(?), Zeruiah (H6870)(?), Abigail (H0026H)(?) and Elihu (H0453J)(?); married to Jether (H3500H); mother of: Amasa (H6021) § Abigail = "my father is joy" sister of David
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: Abigal. See also: 1 Samuel 25:3; 1 Samuel 25:42; 1 Chronicles 3:1.
אֵֽשֶׁת
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
נָבָ֖ל
Nâbâl
H5037
"Nabal"
N-proper
Nabal was an Israelite who lived during King David's time, known for being foolish and spurning David's messengers. His wife Abigail intervened on his behalf, later becoming David's wife after Nabal's death. Nabal means 'fool' in Hebrew.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.25.3; married to Abigail (H0026) § Nabhal or Nabal = "fool" a man of Carmel who spurned David's messengers, then died of shock when he realised it might cause his death; his case was pleaded by his wife Abigail who became David's wife after his death
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: Nabal. See also: 1 Samuel 25:3; 1 Samuel 25:34; 2 Samuel 3:3.
הַֽ/כַּרְמְלִֽית
Karmᵉlîyth
H3762
"Carmelitess"
Art | Ngfsa
A Carmelitess is a female inhabitant of Mount Carmel, such as Abigail, the wife of King David, who came from Carmel, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 27. The term refers to a woman from the garden-land of Carmel.
Definition: Carmelitess, of Carmel "garden-land" 1) a female inhabitant of Carmel 2) Abigail, the wife of David, who came from Carmel
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Carmelitess. See also: 1 Samuel 27:3; 1 Chronicles 3:1.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 27:3
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Context — David and the Philistines
1David, 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.”
2So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.
3David 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.
4And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him. 5Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let me be assigned a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. For why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 25:42–43 | So Abigail hurried and got on a donkey, and attended by five of her maidens, she followed David’s messengers and became his wife. David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel. So she and Abigail were both his wives. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 30:5 | David’s two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel, had been taken captive. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 25:18–35 | Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five butchered sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She loaded them on donkeys and said to her young men, “Go ahead of me. I will be right behind you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. As Abigail came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming down toward her, and she met them. Now David had just finished saying, “In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good. May God punish David, and ever so severely, if I let one of Nabal’s men survive until morning.” When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him. She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent. Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, the LORD has held you back from coming to bloodshed and avenging yourself with your own hand. May your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal. Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you. Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live. And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling. When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel, then my lord will have no remorse or guilt of conscience over needless bloodshed and revenge. And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, may you remember your maidservant.” Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day! Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand. Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, then surely no male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by morning light.” Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him, and he said to her, “Go home in peace. See, I have heeded your voice and granted your request.” |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 25:3 | His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 30:3 | When David and his men came to the city, they found it burned down and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. |
1 Samuel 27:3 Summary
[In 1 Samuel 27:3, we see that David and his men, along with their families, settled in Gath with King Achish, seeking refuge from King Saul's pursuit. This decision was motivated by David's desire to protect himself and his loved ones, as he believed that living among the Philistines would provide a safe haven. As we reflect on this verse, we can learn about the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, even when we feel like we need to take matters into our own hands, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6. By seeking to prioritize the well-being of those around him, David demonstrates a key aspect of leadership and devotion to God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did David and his men settle in Gath with Achish?
David and his men settled in Gath with Achish because David believed it would be a safe haven from King Saul's pursuit, as stated in 1 Samuel 27:1, where David says to himself, 'One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul.'
Who were David's two wives mentioned in this verse?
According to 1 Samuel 27:3, David's two wives were Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal, whom he had married after Nabal's death, as recorded in 1 Samuel 25:42.
What does it mean that each man had his family with him?
This indicates that David's men were not alone, but had their families with them, which would have been a source of comfort and strength for them, much like the Israelites were instructed to include their families in certain celebrations and gatherings, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:7 and 16:11.
How did this decision affect King Saul's pursuit of David?
As a result of David's decision to settle in Gath, King Saul stopped searching for him all over Israel, as stated in 1 Samuel 27:4, which temporarily brought an end to the persecution David had been facing.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have felt like I needed to escape from a difficult situation, and how did I respond?
- How does David's decision to settle in Gath with his family reflect his trust in God's sovereignty and provision?
- In what ways can I, like David, prioritize the well-being and safety of my loved ones, even in the midst of challenging circumstances?
- What can I learn from David's experience about the importance of seeking refuge in God, rather than relying solely on human solutions, as encouraged in Psalm 46:1 and 91:2?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 27:3
And David dwelt with Achish at Gath,.... The metropolis of his kingdom, called, 1 Samuel 27:5, the royal city: he and his men, every man with his household; or family; which they brought with them,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 27:3
And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife. David dwelt ... he and his men.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:3
1 Samuel 27:3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, [even] David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal’ s wife.Ver. 3. And David dwelt with Achish.] Where doubtless he was much vexed many times, as Lot was in Sodom, and cried, Oh that I had the wings of a dove! &c. Woe is me that I sojourn in Gath! a good place to pass through, but an ill place to dwell in, as one once said of Athens.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:3
(3) And David dwelt with Achish at Gath.—His reception by the Philistines seems to have been most kindly. There was a wide difference between the circumstances of this and his former visit to Gath. Then he was a fugitive, almost unattended; now he was at the head of an army of trained and devoted soldiers. Such a guest might be of the greatest service to the Philistines in their perpetual wars with Saul, with whom David would now be considered to have finally broken off all relations, seeing he had sought a home and shelter among the most bitter of his foes.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:3
Verse 3. Every man with his household] So it appears that the men who consorted with David had wives and families. David and his company resembled a tribe of the wandering Arabs.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 27:3
3. every man with his household] Cp. ch. 1 Samuel 30:3 ff.; 2 Samuel 2:3.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:3
3. Every man with his household — From which it appears that many of David’s men, like their leader, had their families with them.