King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 27:1 Mean?

1 Samuel 27:1 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. perish: Heb. be consumed

1 Samuel 27:1 · KJV


Context

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. perish: Heb. be consumed

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's internal reasoning reveals a crisis of faith after years of relentless persecution: 'I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul.' Despite repeated deliverances and divine promises, exhaustion produces despair. The Hebrew 'saphah 'espeh' (I shall surely be destroyed) expresses the certainty David feels in this moment of weakness. His solution, seeking refuge among Israel's enemies, represents a strategic calculation that prioritizes immediate survival over trust in divine protection. This chapter reveals that even great faith can waver under sustained pressure.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

David had previously fled briefly to Gath (1 Samuel 21) but feigned madness to escape. Now, with 600 men and their families, he returns as a potential military asset rather than a lone fugitive. This politically complex decision would shape the final months of Saul's reign.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has prolonged difficulty caused you to doubt God's promises despite past faithfulness?
  2. How do you evaluate decisions made from exhaustion versus those made from faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 29

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִד֙2 of 29

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶל3 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לִבּ֔וֹ4 of 29

in his heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

עַתָּ֛ה5 of 29
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אֶסָּפֶ֥ה6 of 29

I shall now perish

H5595

properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r

יוֹם7 of 29

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶחָ֖ד8 of 29

one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מִיָּדֽוֹ׃9 of 29

by the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

שָׁאוּל֙10 of 29

and Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֵֽין11 of 29
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לִ֨י12 of 29
H0
ט֜וֹב13 of 29

there is nothing better

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

כִּ֣י14 of 29

for me than that

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וְנִמְלַטְתִּ֖י15 of 29

I should speedily

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

וְנִמְלַטְתִּ֖י16 of 29

I should speedily

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

אֶל17 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֣רֶץ18 of 29

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים19 of 29

of the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וְנוֹאַ֨שׁ20 of 29

shall despair

H2976

to desist, i.e., (figuratively) to despond

מִמֶּ֤נִּי21 of 29
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

שָׁאוּל֙22 of 29

and Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

לְבַקְשֵׁ֤נִי23 of 29

of me to seek

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

עוֹד֙24 of 29
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בְּכָל25 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גְּב֣וּל26 of 29

me any more in any coast

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל27 of 29

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְנִמְלַטְתִּ֖י28 of 29

I should speedily

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

מִיָּדֽוֹ׃29 of 29

by the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 27:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 27:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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