1 Samuel 27:4
1 Samuel 27:4 in Multiple Translations
And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
And Saul, hearing that David had gone to Gath, went after him no longer.
When Saul found out that David had run away to Gath, he didn't go on looking for him.
And it was tolde Saul that Dauid was fled to Gath: so he sought no more for him.
And it is declared to Saul that David hath fled to Gath, and he hath not added any more to seek him.
Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, so he stopped looking for him.
And it was told to Saul that David had fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Geth, and he sought no more after him.
When someone told Saul that David had run away and was living in Gath, he stopped searching for David.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 27:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 27:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֻּגַּ֣ד
לְ/שָׁא֔וּל
כִּֽי
בָרַ֥ח
דָּוִ֖ד
גַּ֑ת
וְ/לֹֽא
יוסף
יָסַ֥ף
ע֖וֹד
לְ/בַקְשֽׁ/וֹ
וַ/יֻּגַּ֣ד
nâgad
H5046
to tell
Conj | V-Hophal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לְ/שָׁא֔וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
Shaul
Prep | N-proper
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
בָרַ֥ח
bârach
H1272
to flee
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
דָּוִ֖ד
Dâvid
H1732
David
N-proper
גַּ֑ת
Gath
H1661
Gath
N-proper
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יוסף
yâçaph
H3254
to add
V-Qal
יָסַ֥ף
yâçaph
H3254
to add
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
ע֖וֹד
ʻôwd
H5750
still
Adv
לְ/בַקְשֽׁ/וֹ
bâqash
H1245
to seek
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 27:4
וַ/יֻּגַּ֣ד
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
Conj | V-Hophal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
לְ/שָׁא֔וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
"Shaul"
Prep | N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
בָרַ֥ח
bârach
H1272
"to flee"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To flee means to run away quickly, as seen in the Bible when people escaped from danger or pursued others, like in the story of David and Absalom.
Definition: 1) to go through, flee, run away, chase, drive away, put to flight, reach, shoot (extend), hurry away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, pass through 1a2) to flee 1a3) to hasten, come quickly 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to pass through 1b2) to cause to flee, put to flight 1b3) to drive away
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot. See also: Genesis 16:6; 1 Kings 11:17; Psalms 3:1.
דָּוִ֖ד
Dâvid
H1732
"David"
N-proper
David was the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Judah, first mentioned in Ruth 4:17, and an ancestor of Jesus.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Jesse (H3448) and Nahash (H5176I); brother of: Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684) and Elihu (H0453J); married to Michal (H4324), Abigail (H0026), Ahinoam (H0293H), Maacah (H4601I), Haggith (H2294), Abital (H0037), Eglah (H5698) and Bathsheba (H1339); father of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727), Nathan (H5416), Solomon (H8010), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N) Also named: Daueid, Dauid, Dabid (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ "David" G1138) § David = "beloved" youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 912 OT verses. KJV: David. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:41; 1 Samuel 27:9.
גַּ֑ת
Gath
H1661
"Gath"
N-proper
Gath was a major city of the Philistines, the same people who lived in Goliath's hometown, and its name means winepress in Hebrew.
Definition: § Gath = "winepress" one of the five royal or chief cities of the Philistines and the native city of Goliath
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: Gath. See also: Joshua 11:22; 2 Samuel 21:20; Psalms 56:1.
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יוסף
yâçaph
H3254
"to add"
V-Qal
To add means to increase or do something again, like adding more of something or continuing an action. This word is used in the Bible to describe growth or repetition.
Definition: : add/more[amount] 1) to add, increase, do again 1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to join, join oneself to 1b2) to be joined, be added to 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to add, increase 1c2) to do more, do again
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield. See also: Genesis 4:2; 2 Samuel 19:14; Psalms 10:18.
יָסַ֥ף
yâçaph
H3254
"to add"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To add means to increase or do something again, like adding more of something or continuing an action. This word is used in the Bible to describe growth or repetition.
Definition: : add/more[amount] 1) to add, increase, do again 1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to join, join oneself to 1b2) to be joined, be added to 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to add, increase 1c2) to do more, do again
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield. See also: Genesis 4:2; 2 Samuel 19:14; Psalms 10:18.
ע֖וֹד
ʻôwd
H5750
"still"
Adv
The word 'still' means something continues or happens again, like in Genesis 29:26 and Isaiah 2:11. It can also mean 'more' or 'additionally'.
Definition: subst 1) a going round, continuance adv 2) still, yet, again, besides 2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence) 2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition) 2c) again 2d) still, moreover, besides Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)
Usage: Occurs in 459 OT verses. KJV: again, [idiom] all life long, at all, besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer, (any) more(-over), [idiom] once, since, (be) still, when, (good, the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet (within). See also: Genesis 4:25; Judges 9:37; 2 Chronicles 32:16.
לְ/בַקְשֽׁ/וֹ
bâqash
H1245
"to seek"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff
This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.
Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 27:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 27:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 27:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 27:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:4
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 27:4
Context — David and the Philistines
2So David set out with his six hundred men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.
3David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives: Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, the widow of Nabal.
4And when Saul learned that David had fled to Gath, he no longer searched for him.
5Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let me be assigned a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. For why should your servant live in the royal city with you?” 6That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day it still belongs to the kings of Judah.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 26:21 | Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!” |
1 Samuel 27:4 Summary
In this verse, we see that Saul stopped searching for David when he learned that David had fled to Gath, a city of the Philistines. This shows that Saul may have thought that David was no longer a threat to him, or that he was now in a foreign land and would not be able to return to Israel. This verse teaches us that even in difficult circumstances, God is still in control and working out His plan for our lives, just like He did in David's life, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11. We can trust that God will use all things, including our struggles and challenges, for our good and His glory, just as He did in David's life, and as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Psalm 138:8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Saul stop searching for David when he learned that David had fled to Gath?
Saul may have stopped searching for David because he believed that David would be safe under the protection of King Achish, and therefore, no longer a threat to him, as seen in 1 Samuel 27:4. Alternatively, Saul may have thought that David was now in a foreign land and would not be able to return to Israel to challenge his authority, much like the situation with Moses in Exodus 2:15.
Was it a good idea for David to flee to Gath, a city of the Philistines, who were enemies of the Israelites?
While it may seem unwise for David to flee to a city of the Philistines, he was likely seeking refuge and protection from King Saul, who was trying to kill him, as seen in 1 Samuel 18:11 and 1 Samuel 19:10. David's decision to flee to Gath may have been a desperate attempt to escape from Saul's pursuit, much like the prophet Elijah's decision to flee to the wilderness in 1 Kings 19:3-4.
What can we learn from David's experience in Gath about trusting in God's sovereignty?
David's experience in Gath teaches us that even in uncertain and difficult circumstances, God is still in control and working out His plan for our lives, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11. We can trust that God will use all things, including our struggles and challenges, for our good and His glory, just as He did in David's life, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Psalm 138:8.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of David's life and his eventual rise to becoming King of Israel?
This verse is a significant turning point in David's life, as it marks a time when he is forced to flee from King Saul and seek refuge in a foreign land, but it also sets the stage for his eventual rise to becoming King of Israel, as seen in 2 Samuel 2:1-7 and 1 Samuel 16:13. David's experience in Gath and his trust in God's sovereignty ultimately prepared him for his future role as king, much like the experience of Joseph in Genesis 37:28 and Genesis 41:37-40.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have felt like I am being pursued by enemies, and how can I trust in God's sovereignty during those times, just like David did in 1 Samuel 27:4?
- How can I, like David, seek refuge and protection in God when I am facing difficult circumstances, and what does Psalm 91:1-2 and Psalm 46:1-3 teach us about God's protection?
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's plan for my life, even when things seem uncertain or difficult, and what does Proverbs 3:5-6 and Isaiah 40:31 teach us about trusting in God?
- How can I, like David, use my experiences of struggle and challenge to grow in my faith and trust in God, and what does James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-7 teach us about the purpose of trials in our lives?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 27:4
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath,.... Who very probably had his spies out to watch his motions, and report to him where he was, and what he was doing: and he sought no more again for
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 27:4
And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:4
By which it is implied that he would have gone on in persecuting David, if he had continued in his dominions.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:4
1 Samuel 27:4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.Ver. 4. That David was fled to Gath.] Such news would fly amain, and make good sport amongst the courtiers his enemies, but grieve good Jonathan and his party there. And he sought no more again for him.] As he would have done, if to any purpose; for malice is restless and irreconcilable.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 27:4
(4) And it was told Saul.—This short statement tells us plainly that up to the moment when Saul heard that David had crossed the frontier, he had not ceased to pursue after him and to seek his life. Ewald considers that it was during the residence at Gath that David exercised himself as a musician in the Gittite—i.e., the Philistine—style, which he afterwards transferred from there to Judah and Jerusalem. (See titles of Psalms 8, 81, 84, “upon the Gittith.”) Gittith is a feminine adjective derived from Gath; the words possibly signify, “after the Gittith manner: some peculiar measure of style of Philistine music, or else the reference may be to a Philistine musical instrument.”
Sermons on 1 Samuel 27:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Then Said Saul, I Have Sinned. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer explores the distinction between worldly sorrow and godly repentance, using Saul's confession of sin as a primary example. He emphasizes that Saul's acknowledgment of hi |