King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 27:8 Mean?

1 Samuel 27:8 in the King James Version says “And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were ... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 27:8 · KJV


Context

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.

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
David's raids against the Geshurites, Gezrites, and Amalekites reveal his complex moral position during this period. These peoples were ancient enemies of Israel, populations that should have been dispossessed during the conquest. The phrase 'of old the inhabitants of the land' (Hebrew: 'me'olam yoshevei ha'aretz') connects David's actions to Israel's unfulfilled mandate. David thus continued Israel's ancient warfare while appearing to serve Philistine interests, maintaining his identity as an Israelite warrior despite his compromised position.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Geshurites were likely a tribal group in the southern Negev, distinct from the Geshurites near the Sea of Galilee. The Amalekites were Israel's perpetual enemies, first attacking Israel at Rephidim after the Exodus. David's raids continued the mandate God gave to Saul (1 Samuel 15).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you maintain your core commitments when circumstances seem to compromise your identity?
  2. What actions in ambiguous situations can align with your fundamental calling?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיַּ֤עַל1 of 19

went up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

דָּוִד֙2 of 19

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֔יו3 of 19

and his men

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֛וּ4 of 19

and invaded

H6584

to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

אֶל5 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַגְּשׁוּרִ֥י6 of 19

the Geshurites

H1651

a geshurite (also collectively) or inhabitants of geshur

וְהַגִּרְזִ֖י7 of 19

and the Gezrites

H1511

a grizite (collectively) or member of a native tribe in palestine

וְהָעֲמָֽלֵקִ֑י8 of 19

and the Amalekites

H6003

an amalekite (or collectively the amalekites) or descendants of amalek

כִּ֣י9 of 19
H3588

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

הֵ֜נָּה10 of 19

for those

H2007

themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)

יֹֽשְׁב֤וֹת11 of 19

the inhabitants

H3427

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

אֶ֥רֶץ12 of 19

even unto the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 19
H834

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

מֵֽעוֹלָ֔ם14 of 19

nations were of old

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

בּֽוֹאֲךָ֥15 of 19

as thou goest

H935

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

שׁ֖וּרָה16 of 19

to Shur

H7793

shur, a region of the desert

וְעַד17 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֶ֥רֶץ18 of 19

even unto the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃19 of 19

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


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 27:8 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 27:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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