David Takes Refuge with the Philistines

David thought that one day he would perish by Saul's hand, so he decided to escape into Philistine territory. He went to Achish son of Maoch, king of Gath, with the six hundred men who were with him. Their households went too, and David's two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail, were with him.

David lived with Achish at Gath. When Saul was told that David had fled there, he stopped searching for him. Then David asked for a place in one of the country towns instead of staying in the royal city, and Achish gave him Ziklag. David remained in Philistine country for a full year and four months.

During that time, David and his men raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, peoples who had long lived in that region on the way to Shur and toward Egypt. They took sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing. The passage also says that David left no man or woman alive there.

When Achish asked where David had raided, David named the Negeb of Judah, the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites, and the Negeb of the Kenites. David did not leave survivors to be brought to Gath, because he feared they would report what he had actually done.

Achish believed David. He thought David had made himself hated by his own people Israel, so David would remain his servant. This was not a simple season of safety. In this refuge, fear led to choices marked by violence and deception. What do you notice as you read this hard part of David's story?