1 Samuel 27:7
1 Samuel 27:7 in Multiple Translations
And the time that David lived in Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.
And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
And the number of the days that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
And David was living in the land of the Philistines for the space of a year and four months.
David lived in the country of the Philistines for a year and four months.
And the time that Dauid dwelt in the countrey of the Philistims, was foure moneths and certaine dayes.
And the number of the days which David hath dwelt in the field of the Philistines [is] days and four months;
The number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines, was four months.
David and his men lived in the Philistia area for 16 months.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 27:7
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 27:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
מִסְפַּ֣ר
הַ/יָּמִ֔ים
אֲשֶׁר
יָשַׁ֥ב
דָּוִ֖ד
בִּ/שְׂדֵ֣ה
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
יָמִ֖ים
וְ/אַרְבָּעָ֥ה
חֳדָשִֽׁים
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מִסְפַּ֣ר
miçpâr
H4557
number
N-ms
הַ/יָּמִ֔ים
yôwm
H3117
day
Art | N-mp
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
יָשַׁ֥ב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
דָּוִ֖ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
בִּ/שְׂדֵ֣ה
sâdeh
H7704
field
Prep | N-ms
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
Philistines
Ngmpa
יָמִ֖ים
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
וְ/אַרְבָּעָ֥ה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Conj | Adj
חֳדָשִֽׁים
chôdesh
H2320
month
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 27:7
וַֽ/יְהִי֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
מִסְפַּ֣ר
miçpâr
H4557
"number"
N-ms
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Definition: 1) number, tale 1a) number 1a1) number 1a2) innumerable (with negative) 1a3) few, numerable (alone) 1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep) 1b) recounting, relation
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. See also: Genesis 34:30; 1 Chronicles 12:24; Psalms 40:13.
הַ/יָּמִ֔ים
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
יָשַׁ֥ב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Perf-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.
דָּוִ֖ד
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.
בִּ/שְׂדֵ֣ה
sâdeh
H7704
"field"
Prep | N-ms
A field or land is what this word represents, often referring to a flat area of land used for cultivation or as a habitat for wild animals, as described in the book of Genesis. It can also mean a plain or a country, as opposed to a mountain or sea. This term is used in the story of Ruth and Boaz.
Definition: 1) field, land 1a) cultivated field 1b) of home of wild beasts 1c) plain (opposed to mountain) 1d) land (opposed to sea)
Usage: Occurs in 309 OT verses. KJV: country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild. See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:38; Nehemiah 12:29.
פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
Pᵉlishtîy
H6430
"Philistines"
Ngmpa
A Philistine is a person from the region of Philistia, which was inhabited by immigrants from other places. The Philistines were known for their conflicts with the Israelites, as recorded in the Bible. They were a distinct ethnic group.
Definition: Philistine = "immigrants" an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan Another name of ga.dol (גָּדוֹל "Great( Sea)" H1419J)
Usage: Occurs in 244 OT verses. KJV: Philistine. See also: Genesis 10:14; 1 Samuel 17:8; 1 Chronicles 10:1.
יָמִ֖ים
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
וְ/אַרְבָּעָ֥ה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Conj | Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
חֳדָשִֽׁים
chôdesh
H2320
"month"
N-mp
The Hebrew term for month, specifically referring to the new moon and the lunar cycle, as described in the book of Exodus and the festivals of Israel. It marks the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.
Definition: : month 1) the new moon, month, monthly 1a) the first day of the month 1b) the lunar month
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: month(-ly), new moon. See also: Genesis 7:11; 1 Chronicles 3:4; Psalms 81:4.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 27:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 27:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 27:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 27:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:7
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:7
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 27:7
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:7
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 27:7
Context — David and the Philistines
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?”
6That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day it still belongs to the kings of Judah.
7And the time that David lived in Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.
8Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these people had inhabited the land extending to Shur and Egypt.) 9Whenever David attacked a territory, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but he took the flocks and herds, the donkeys, camels, and clothing. Then he would return to Achish,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 29:3 | Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.” |
1 Samuel 27:7 Summary
This verse, 1 Samuel 27:7, tells us that David lived in Philistine territory for a year and four months. This was a time of refuge for David, as he was fleeing from King Saul, who was trying to kill him, as seen in 1 Samuel 26:1-25. Even though David was living among the Philistines, who were enemies of the Israelites, he continued to trust and follow God, just like we can trust God in our own difficult circumstances, as seen in Psalm 138:7-8 and Jeremiah 29:11. By looking to God and trusting in His goodness, we can navigate even the most challenging situations, just like David did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did David live in Philistine territory for so long?
David lived in Philistine territory for a year and four months, as stated in 1 Samuel 27:7, likely due to his need for safety and refuge from King Saul, as seen in 1 Samuel 26:1-25 and 1 Samuel 27:1-6.
Was it right for David to live among the Philistines, who were enemies of the Israelites?
While it may seem unusual for David to live among the Philistines, the Bible shows that David was seeking to escape the wrath of King Saul, and God was still with him, as seen in 1 Samuel 26:1-25 and Psalm 138:7-8.
What can we learn from David's experience in Philistine territory?
David's experience in Philistine territory teaches us that even in difficult or unexpected circumstances, God is still with us and can use those situations for our good, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.
How did David's time in Philistine territory affect his relationship with God?
The Bible does not indicate that David's time in Philistine territory negatively affected his relationship with God; in fact, David continued to trust and follow God, as seen in 1 Samuel 27:8-12 and 1 Samuel 30:1-31.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like David, may be living in 'enemy territory' and how can I trust God in those situations?
- How can I, like David, seek to honor God even when I am surrounded by those who do not know or follow Him, as seen in 1 Samuel 27:8-12?
- What are some ways that God may be using difficult or unexpected circumstances in my life for my good, as seen in Romans 8:28?
- How can I, like David, continue to trust and follow God even when I am in uncertain or challenging situations, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Proverbs 3:5-6?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 27:7
And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines,.... At Gath and Ziklag: was a full year and four months; or "days and four months"; days being sometimes put for a year, Jude 17:10;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 27:7
And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:7
Heb. days and four months; days being put for a year; as . Or, some days and four months, i.e. some days above four months. Or, some days and (for even, or that is, the conjunction and being oft so used, as hath been proved above) four months.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:7
1 Samuel 27:7 And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.Ver. 7. A full year and four months,] viz., Till Saul’ s death, and about two years after Samuel’ s death.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:7
(7) A full year and four months.—Keil calls attention to the exact statement of time here as a proof of the historical character of the whole narrative. The Hebrew expression, translated “a year,” is a singular one: yamim—literally, days—a collective term, used in Leviticus 25:29, 1 Samuel 1:3; 1 Samuel 2:19, &c., to signify a term or period of days which amounted to a full year. This year and four months were among the darkest days of David’s life. He was sorely tried, it is true; but he had adopted the very course his bitterest foes would have wished him to select. In open arms, apparently leagued with the deadliest foes of Israel, like an Italian condottiere or captain of free lances of the Middle Ages, he had taken service and accepted the wages of that very Philistine city whose champion he once had slain in the morning of his career. At last his enemies at the court of Saul had reason when they spoke of him as a traitor. From the curt recital in this chapter, which deals with the saddest portion of David’s career, we shall see that while he apparently continued to make common cause with the enemies of his race, he still used his power to help, and not to injure, his countrymen; but the price he paid for his patriotism was a life of falsehood, stained, too, with deeds of fierce cruelty, shocking even in these rough, half-barbarous times.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 27:7
7. a full year and four months] The Sept. reading “four months” is improbable, though the Heb. might be rendered “a space of time, even four months.” Ch. 1 Samuel 29:3 implies a much longer residence. “In this city David laid the foundation of his kingdom. Here he could already rule with greater freedom and independence, collect fugitives and deserters around him in larger and larger numbers, send or receive embassies like a prince (1 Samuel 30:26-31), and as a ruler over soldiers and peaceable citizens rehearse, on a small scale, those arts by which he afterwards acquired and maintained his great kingdom.” Ewald, Hist. of Israel, III. 101. Here a band of archers and slingers from Saul’s own tribe joined him, together with men from the southern towns of Judah, and from Manasseh (1 Chronicles 12:1-7; 1 Chronicles 12:20-22).
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:7
7. A full year and four months — This doubtless gives the true sense of the Hebrew, which is, literally, days and four months.
Sermons on 1 Samuel 27:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Believer Out of Place by Theodore Epp | Theodore Epp discusses how God delivered David from a precarious situation in Gath, emphasizing the importance of maintaining distinct Christian standards in a worldly environment. |