1 Samuel 27:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֤עַל
went up
H5927
וַיַּ֤עַל
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 19
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֔יו
and his men
H582
וַֽאֲנָשָׁ֔יו
and his men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֛וּ
and invaded
H6584
וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֛וּ
and invaded
Strong's:
H6584
Word #:
4 of 19
to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)
הַגְּשׁוּרִ֥י
the Geshurites
H1651
הַגְּשׁוּרִ֥י
the Geshurites
Strong's:
H1651
Word #:
6 of 19
a geshurite (also collectively) or inhabitants of geshur
וְהַגִּרְזִ֖י
and the Gezrites
H1511
וְהַגִּרְזִ֖י
and the Gezrites
Strong's:
H1511
Word #:
7 of 19
a grizite (collectively) or member of a native tribe in palestine
וְהָעֲמָֽלֵקִ֑י
and the Amalekites
H6003
וְהָעֲמָֽלֵקִ֑י
and the Amalekites
Strong's:
H6003
Word #:
8 of 19
an amalekite (or collectively the amalekites) or descendants of amalek
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הֵ֜נָּה
for those
H2007
הֵ֜נָּה
for those
Strong's:
H2007
Word #:
10 of 19
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
יֹֽשְׁב֤וֹת
the inhabitants
H3427
יֹֽשְׁב֤וֹת
the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אֶ֥רֶץ
even unto the land
H776
אֶ֥רֶץ
even unto the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
12 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מֵֽעוֹלָ֔ם
nations were of old
H5769
מֵֽעוֹלָ֔ם
nations were of old
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
בּֽוֹאֲךָ֥
as thou goest
H935
בּֽוֹאֲךָ֥
as thou goest
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
15 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
17 of 19
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Joshua 13:2This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,Joshua 13:13Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.Joshua 16:10And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.Judges 1:29Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
Historical 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).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain your core commitments when circumstances seem to compromise your identity?
- What actions in ambiguous situations can align with your fundamental calling?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.