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1 Samuel 25:13
And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.

1 Samuel 30:8
And David inquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtakethem, and without fail recoverall.

Achish

1 Samuel 21:10
And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.

1 Kings 2:40
And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath.

and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.
Gath is one of the five Philistine city-states, and Achish is its king. David's decision to seek refuge with a Philistine king is significant, as it shows his desperation and the complexity of his situation. Gath is notably the hometown of Goliath, whom David famously defeated (1 Samuel 17), adding irony to his seeking asylum there. Achish, son of Maoch, is mentioned here, providing a historical anchor for the narrative. This move also reflects the political dynamics of the time, where allegiances could be fluid, and former enemies could become temporary allies. David's relationship with Achish is complex, as seen in later chapters, where David feigns loyalty to the Philistines while secretly supporting Israel (1 Samuel 29). This situation foreshadows the dual nature of Christ's mission, where He navigated between earthly and divine realms, often misunderstood by those around Him.

• The move begins with action: “So David set out” (1 Samuel 27:2). He has just said in his heart, “I will perish one day by the hand of Saul” (1 Samuel 27:1), so this departure is motivated by real danger.

• David is not running from God’s call but seeking preservation until God fulfills His promise of kingship (1 Samuel 16:13;1 Samuel 24:20).

• This step echoes earlier escapes (1 Samuel 21:10–11) and shows a pattern of wisely avoiding Saul while trusting the Lord (Psalm 57:1).

• God’s providence is evident: even in flight, David is being positioned for future victories over the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:17–25).

• David’s company has grown from the original “about four hundred men” (1 Samuel 22:2) to six hundred, indicating God’s continued favor and leadership capacity.

• These men are loyal despite hardship (1 Samuel 23:13; 30:9). Their presence underscores that David’s decisions affect families and futures, not merely himself.

• The size of the group requires significant resources; moving into Philistine territory provides temporary relief from Saul’s pursuit and opens new supply lines (1 Samuel 27:6–7).

• Scripture shows God often shapes leaders in the wilderness with a band of faithful followers (Moses –Exodus 18:25; Jesus –Luke 6:13).

• Achish is the same Philistine ruler who once regarded David with suspicion (1 Samuel 21:12–15). David’s earlier feigned madness paved the way for a more durable relationship now.

• The text calls Achish the “son of Maoch,” grounding the narrative in real history. God’s Word is rooted in factual detail, reaffirming its trustworthiness (Luke 1:3–4).

• David’s approach shows strategic thinking: he seeks asylum from an enemy of Saul. By serving Achish, David removes Saul’s excuse to keep chasing him (1 Samuel 27:4).

• This alliance is not compromise with paganism but a tactical refuge. Like Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 41:41), David operates within a foreign court while remaining God’s man.

• Gath is one of the five principal Philistine cities (Joshua 13:3). It was also Goliath’s hometown (1 Samuel 17:4), highlighting the irony of David’s presence there.

• By dwelling among Philistines, David gains insight into their military patterns, information later useful in battles (2 Samuel 5:18–25).

• Living under a foreign king tests David’s faithfulness. He must avoid adopting Philistine idolatry (Exodus 20:3) while honoring his host (1 Peter 2:12).

• God’s sovereignty shines: even an enemy king becomes a shelter for His anointed (Proverbs 16:7).

1 Samuel 27:2 records a calculated move of David, driven by real danger yet guided by faith. He departs decisively, brings his loyal six hundred, allies temporarily with Achish, and dwells in Gath. Each phrase reveals God’s protective hand, David’s strategic obedience, and the unfolding plan that will ultimately seat him on Israel’s throne (2 Samuel 2:4).

Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.--The same, we believe, as that Achish to whom David fled before (see1Samuel 21:11), and identical with Achish, son of Maachah (1Kings 2:39). This would involve the necessity of ascribing a fifty years' reign to this prince. (Such a lengthy reign is quite possible.) The whole of Philistia subsequently fell under King David's rule. It seems, however, that he permitted, even after the conquest, Achish to remain in his old city of Gath, most likely as his tributary: thus, we may suppose, paying back the old debt of kindness to Achish.