31: David aligns himself with the Philistines ( 1Samuel 27:1 – 12)

Being sick and tired of fleeing, David moved down to King Achish of Gath and aligned himself with the Philistine king. Was it God's will? 

👉 Read 1Samuel 27:1 - 12

Q1. What was the reason David moved down to Gath? (1, 4)

To escape from Saul’s pursuit.

As he had desired, Saul stopped searching for him when he moved to the Philistines.

Q2. David went to (             ), the king of Gath, and showed his allegiance to the Philistine king. He gave David a town (                  ). David stayed in the Philistines for (                                           ).

David went to ( Achish ), the king of Gath, and showed his allegiance to the Philistine king. He gave David a town ( Ziklag  ). David stayed in the Philistines for ( a year and four months ).

Q3. While David stayed in Ziklag, he raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and (          ), leaving no (       ). These groups were common enemies of both the Philistines and Israel. However, he reported to Achish that he had attacked "(         )" or "the Negev of Jerahmeel," giving Achish the impression that his raids targeted the southern regions of (      ) and were carried out for the benefit of the (      ). In this way, David gained Achish's (     ).

While David stayed in Ziklag, he raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and (the Amalekites), leaving no (survivors). These groups were common enemies of both the Philistines and Israel. However, he reported to Achish that he had attacked "(the Negev of Judah)" or "the Negev of Jerahmeel," giving Achish the impression that his raids targeted the southern regions of (Judah) and were carried out for the benefit of the (Philistines). In this way, David gained Achish's (trust).

“He is really hated among his own people in Israel!” David’s cunning tactics made Achich trust David.

Q4. In 1 Samuel 22:5, God asked David to return to Judah when he had fled to Moab. Here in chapter 27, God didn’t say anything to David. Was it God's will? Did David do right or wrong?

Going down without consulting God was not advisable. God had explicitly ordered him to return to Judah when he had escaped to Moab (1 Sam 22:5), and thus, he needed to consult God when he decided to leave Judah. 

Though David seemed to have escaped from Saul’s pursuit, he would face the peak of his difficult moments in the land where he sought security. God did not say anything to David about leaving Judah but instead placed him in the toughest test—being nearly stoned by his own followers. (ch29 – 30)

Until now, David has been placed in situations where he has no choice but to stay in Judah while Saul pursues him. In these circumstances, David learned to entrust everything to God. In chapter 27, David and his men had grown strong and skillful enough to leave their hiding places and escape from Judah to another land. So, David decided to move into Philistine territory, and God remained silent—which may have seemed like approval to David. The Bible doesn't criticize David for not asking but does portray his reliance on his own tactics negatively - his cunning character in presenting himself as an enemy of Judah to earn the trust of King Achish.

Sometimes, God allows us to make decisions freely. At such a moment, He doesn't dictate to us but wants to see if we truly love and trust Him. He may be watching to see what is truly in your heart. 

This is a higher-level test to see if you love the Lord, higher than the test of obedience.