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1 Samuel

Tells about Samuel, the last judge, and the beginning of Israel's monarchy with King Saul and young David.

Chapter 27

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1 And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

*David thought, "I might die at the hands of Saul someday. It's better for me to quickly leave for Philistine land. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I'll be safe from him."

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.

*David got up and went with his 600 men to King Achish, also known as Maoch's son, in the city of Gath.

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 lived in Gath with Achish, along with his soldiers and their families. He had two wives there: Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, who was from Carmel and married to Nabal.

4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

*People told Saul that David had run away to a place called Gath, and he didn't look for him anymore.

5 And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

*David asked Achish, "If you like me now, please let me live in a town in the countryside. Why should I stay in your royal city?"

6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.

*Then, Achish gave David Ziklag that day, so Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah until now.

7 And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.

*David lived in Philistine land for one year and four months.

8 And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

*David and his group attacked the Geshurites, Gezrites, and Amalekites because these nations had lived in the land for a long time, from Shur to the land of Egypt.

9 And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.

*And David attacked the area, killing all people, and took the sheep, cows, donkeys, and camels, along with their clothes. Then he went back to Achish.

10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

*Achish asked, "Where did you go today?" David replied, "To the south of Judah, the Jerahmeelites, and the Kenites."

11 And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.

*David didn't spare anyone in Gath, not men nor women, because he was afraid they would say, "David did this, and that's how he always acts while living among the Philistines."

12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

*Achish trusted David, who said that David's people, Israel, really don't like him now. So, David will serve Achish forever.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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