King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 27:11 Mean?

1 Samuel 27:11 in the King James Version says “And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So d... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 27:11 · KJV


Context

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.

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. Whither: or, Did you not make a road, etc

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.

12

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The grim explanation for David's thorough destruction reveals the practical necessity driving his brutality: 'Lest they should tell on us.' The Hebrew 'pen-yaggidu' (lest they report) exposes fear as the motivation. David's entire position depended on maintaining two incompatible personas: loyal vassal to Achish and faithful Israelite. Dead witnesses could not expose this contradiction. This verse reveals how one compromise necessitates others, creating a web of deception and violence from which extrication becomes increasingly difficult.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The phrase 'so will be his manner' (Hebrew: 'ken mishpato') indicates this became David's regular practice throughout his time in Ziklag. The systematic elimination of witnesses over sixteen months represents a sustained campaign of deception.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does one deception often necessitate others to maintain it?
  2. What 'webs' of compromise have you experienced that became increasingly difficult to escape?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְאִ֨ישׁ1 of 23

neither man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְאִשָּׁ֜ה2 of 23

nor woman

H802

a woman

לֹֽא3 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְחַיֶּ֣ה4 of 23

alive

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

דָוִד֙5 of 23

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

לְהָבִ֥יא6 of 23

to bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

גַת֙7 of 23

tidings to Gath

H1661

gath, a philistine city

לֵאמֹ֑ר8 of 23

on us saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

פֶּן9 of 23
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יַגִּ֥דוּ10 of 23

Lest they should tell

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

עָלֵ֖ינוּ11 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לֵאמֹ֑ר12 of 23

on us saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּֽה13 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

עָשָׂ֤ה14 of 23

So did

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

דָוִד֙15 of 23

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְכֹ֣ה16 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

מִשְׁפָּט֔וֹ17 of 23

and so will be his manner

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

כָּל18 of 23
H3605

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

הַ֨יָּמִ֔ים19 of 23

all the while

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָשַׁ֖ב21 of 23

he dwelleth

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בִּשְׂדֵ֥ה22 of 23

in the country

H7704

a field (as flat)

פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃23 of 23

of the Philistines

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth


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 27:11 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 27:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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