| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| April 23, 2026 | ESV (2016) | ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026 |
1 Samuel 27
Observation & Interpretation
Growing weary of constantly fleeing from Saul, David sought to escape to the land of the Philistines (v. 1). David arose with six hundred men and, along with his two wives, lived with Achish at Gath (v. 2-3). David asked Achish for land and Achish gave him the Philistine city, Ziklag, in which he lived for sixteen months (v. 6-7).
David went up and made raids of the Geshurites, Girzites and Amalekites, ancient enemies that should have been exterminated during the Israel conquest of the promised land long before (Deut. 20:16-17) (FSB paraphrased) (v. 8). David would strike the land, leaving nothing alive and bring the spoil back to Achish (v. 9). When Achish asked David where he had made a raid that day, David would report to Achish the people of whom he had raided (v. 10). This was David’s custom while he stayed with Achish and Achish trusted David, thinking that he had made himself an utter stench to his people Israel (v. 11-12).
Application
The destruction of the Geshurites, Girzites and Amalekites “fulfilled God’s earlier command to Israel during the days of Joshua to wipe out the land’s evil inhabitants (Jos 13:1–7).” (CSB Notes) While these nations were not destroyed during the initial campaign in the days of Joshua, they remained under God’s judgment and David was now completing the divinely appointed task. This is helpful in illuminating an important point, namely, that God’s justice against wickedness is sure even though we fail to fully grasp its timeline. We can often perceive evil as prevailing as it continues seemingly unmitigated, but there will come a Day in which all will be made right. It will be a Day of great joy for the saints but one of absolute terror for those who practice lawlessness and rebel against our great God and King. Praise be to our God that by His Word we have been given surety of this glorious Day of Christ’s return, one for which we long in eager anticipation.
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- Colin Hansen (Editor in Chief), TGC Bible Commentary (Columbia, MO: The Gospel Coalition, 2022)
- Iain M. Duguid (Series Editor), ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018-2025)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)
- The New American Commentary (Brentwood, TN: Holman Reference)
- Lane T. Dennis and Wayne Grudem (Editors), ESV Study Bible, Crossway, 2008.
