1 Samuel 27:1
And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.
Original Language Analysis
לִבּ֔וֹ
in his heart
H3820
לִבּ֔וֹ
in his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
4 of 29
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
עַתָּ֛ה
H6258
אֶסָּפֶ֥ה
I shall now perish
H5595
אֶסָּפֶ֥ה
I shall now perish
Strong's:
H5595
Word #:
6 of 29
properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r
יוֹם
day
H3117
יוֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 29
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
מִיָּדֽוֹ׃
by the hand
H3027
מִיָּדֽוֹ׃
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 29
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
ט֜וֹב
there is nothing better
H2896
ט֜וֹב
there is nothing better
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
13 of 29
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
כִּ֣י
for me than that
H3588
כִּ֣י
for me than that
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וְנִמְלַטְתִּ֖י
I should speedily
H4422
וְנִמְלַטְתִּ֖י
I should speedily
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
15 of 29
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
וְנִמְלַטְתִּ֖י
I should speedily
H4422
וְנִמְלַטְתִּ֖י
I should speedily
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
16 of 29
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
19 of 29
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וְנוֹאַ֨שׁ
shall despair
H2976
וְנוֹאַ֨שׁ
shall despair
Strong's:
H2976
Word #:
20 of 29
to desist, i.e., (figuratively) to despond
מִמֶּ֤נִּי
H4480
מִמֶּ֤נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
21 of 29
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
לְבַקְשֵׁ֤נִי
of me to seek
H1245
לְבַקְשֵׁ֤נִי
of me to seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
23 of 29
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
עוֹד֙
H5750
עוֹד֙
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
24 of 29
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
25 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גְּב֣וּל
me any more in any coast
H1366
גְּב֣וּל
me any more in any coast
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
26 of 29
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
27 of 29
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Isaiah 51:12I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;1 Samuel 23:17And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
Historical Context
David had previously fled briefly to Gath (1 Samuel 21) but feigned madness to escape. Now, with 600 men and their families, he returns as a potential military asset rather than a lone fugitive. This politically complex decision would shape the final months of Saul's reign.
Questions for Reflection
- When has prolonged difficulty caused you to doubt God's promises despite past faithfulness?
- How do you evaluate decisions made from exhaustion versus those made from faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
David's internal reasoning reveals a crisis of faith after years of relentless persecution: 'I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul.' Despite repeated deliverances and divine promises, exhaustion produces despair. The Hebrew 'saphah 'espeh' (I shall surely be destroyed) expresses the certainty David feels in this moment of weakness. His solution, seeking refuge among Israel's enemies, represents a strategic calculation that prioritizes immediate survival over trust in divine protection. This chapter reveals that even great faith can waver under sustained pressure.