King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 27:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 27:5 in the King James Version says “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 countr... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

1 Samuel 27:5 · KJV


Context

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.

4

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

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?

6

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

7

And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. the time: Heb. the number of days a full year: Heb. a year of days


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's request for 'a place in some town in the country' reveals strategic thinking within moral complexity. By leaving Gath itself, David would gain freedom from constant surveillance while creating a base for independent operations. His humble self-designation ('thy servant') and rhetorical question ('why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?') employ the language of submission while actually seeking autonomy. This diplomatic maneuvering demonstrates David's ability to navigate foreign courts.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Living in the royal city would have required constant interaction with Philistine nobility and potential participation in pagan religious ceremonies. David's request for a rural assignment created distance from these compromising situations while maintaining his alliance with Achish.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you create appropriate boundaries within unavoidable compromising situations?
  2. What wisdom guides your requests when you must work within systems you cannot fully endorse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 23

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

דָּוִ֜ד2 of 23

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶל3 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָכִ֗ישׁ4 of 23

unto Achish

H397

akish, a philistine king

אִם5 of 23
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

נָא֩6 of 23
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

מָצָ֨אתִי7 of 23

If I have now found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חֵ֤ן8 of 23

grace

H2580

graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)

בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙9 of 23

in thine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יִתְּנוּ10 of 23

let them give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִ֣י11 of 23
H0
מָק֗וֹם12 of 23

me a place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

בְּאַחַ֛ת13 of 23

in some

H259

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

בְּעִ֥יר14 of 23

city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה15 of 23

in the country

H7704

a field (as flat)

יֵשֵׁ֧ב16 of 23

dwell

H3427

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

שָּׁ֑ם17 of 23
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְלָ֨מָּה18 of 23
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יֵשֵׁ֧ב19 of 23

dwell

H3427

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

עַבְדְּךָ֛20 of 23

there for why should thy servant

H5650

a servant

בְּעִ֥יר21 of 23

city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה22 of 23

in the royal

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

עִמָּֽךְ׃23 of 23
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then


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 27:5 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 27:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study