Bible Commentaries

Verses 1-12

1 Samuel 21:1-12 David Joins the Philistines 1 Samuel 21:1-12 tells us about the eighteen months of David’s exile when he moved into the land of the Philistines and joined with the king of Gath. Sometimes our faith can wax small when adversity continues over a long period of time. David made a decision to leave the land of Judah and join himself with the Philistines. He was given the city of Ziglag, where he lived for eighteen months. David will pay a heavy price for making such a decision. He will return one day to find his home raided and all of his possessions and family taken. Nevertheless, God will come to his assistance and help David recover all.

For a while everything looks comfortable for David when he moved to Ziglag of the Philistines. His decision to join the Philistines appears to bring peace to himself and the lives of his men. But this will soon change into a disaster when they lose all at Ziglag. God can only help us to the degree that we trust Him. To the degree He is our Shepherd is the degree we will not want.

The events of Ziglag will move David to seek God’s direction fervently, using the priest’s ephod. This is something David should have done before moving to Ziglag.

1 Samuel 27:12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

1 Samuel 27:12 “Achish believed David” Scripture References - Note:

Proverbs 14:15, “ The simple believeth every word : but the prudent man looketh well to his going.”