1 Samuel 27

1. I shall now perish one day. David seems to have forgotten that, by the Divine command, he had been appointed to be king; and that, though Saul was faithless, God’s promises could not fail. Consulting his own fears only, and not the ephod or the prophet, he took a wrong course. His position, and that of his followers, among the Philistines, who were idolaters, and enemies of his people, must have been most embarrassing.

6. Ziklag. This town had been allotted to the tribe of Simeon, but it seems to have remained in the hands of the Philistines till made over to David by Achish.

8 the Geshurites. In this proceeding David seems to have had in view his future advancement to the kingdom; clearing all the southern district of remaining hostile tribes.

10 a road. This word was used by old English writers in the sense of inroad, and was synonymous with the Scottish term raid (R.V.).

11 to bring tidings. Or, “to bring them,” i.e., as captives (R.V.).