King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 27:7 Mean?

1 Samuel 27:7 in the King James Version says “And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. the time: Heb. the numb...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 27:7 · KJV

Context

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

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. Gezrites: or, Gerzites

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The timeframe 'a full year and four months' (Hebrew: 'yamim arba'ah chodashim,' literally 'days and four months,' where 'days' idiomatically means a year) establishes the extent of David's exile. This period roughly corresponds to the final sixteen months of Saul's reign, during which David operated independently while nominally under Philistine authority. The specificity suggests an accurate historical tradition preserved in the narrative. These months shaped David's character and established relationships that would influence his reign.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The period from approximately 1012 to 1010 BCE represents a transitional phase when Saul's kingdom deteriorated while David built a power base. David's activities during this time laid groundwork for his rapid assumption of rule after Saul's death.

Reflection Questions

  1. What formative periods in your life have occurred during times of apparent exile or waiting?
  2. How do you steward seasons of transition when the future remains unclear?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַֽיְהִי֙1 of 11
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִסְפַּ֣ר2 of 11

“And the time”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

יָמִ֖ים3 of 11

“was a full year”

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

אֲשֶׁר4 of 11
H834

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

יָשַׁ֥ב5 of 11

“dwelt”

H3427

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

דָּוִ֖ד6 of 11

“that David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה7 of 11

“in the country”

H7704

a field (as flat)

פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים8 of 11

“of the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

יָמִ֖ים9 of 11

“was a full year”

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

וְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה10 of 11

“and four”

H702

four

חֳדָשִֽׁים׃11 of 11

“months”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

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 27:7 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 27:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 29:3

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