1 Samuel 27:5
New International Version
Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

New Living Translation
One day David said to Achish, “If it is all right with you, we would rather live in one of the country towns instead of here in the royal city.”

English Standard Version
Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be given me in one of the country towns, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?”

Berean Standard Bible
Then 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?”

King James Bible
And David said unto Achish, If I have now found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

New King James Version
Then David said to Achish, “If I have now found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?”

New American Standard Bible
Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, have them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, so that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

NASB 1995
Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

NASB 1977
Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your sight, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

Amplified Bible
Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your sight, let me be given a place [of my own] in one of the cities in the country, so that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

Christian Standard Bible
Now David said to Achish, “If I have found favor with you, let me be given a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now David said to Achish, “If I have found favor with you, let me be given a place in one of the outlying towns, so I can live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”

American Standard Version
And David said unto Achish, If now I have found favor in thine eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

Contemporary English Version
One day, David was talking with Achish and said, "If you are happy with me, then let me live in one of the towns in the countryside. I'm not important enough to live here with you in the royal city."

English Revised Version
And David said unto Achish, If now I have found grace in thine eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David said to Achish, "If you will permit me, let me have a place in one of the outlying towns so that I can live there. Why should I live in the royal city with you?"

Good News Translation
David said to Achish, "If you are my friend, let me have a small town to live in. There is no need, sir, for me to live with you in the capital city."

International Standard Version
David told Achish, "If it pleases you, give me a place in one of the outlying towns, so I may live there. Why should your servant live with you in the royal city?"

Majority Standard Bible
Then 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?”

NET Bible
David said to Achish, "If I have found favor with you, let me be given a place in one of the country towns so that I can live there. Why should your servant settle in the royal city with you?"

New Heart English Bible
David said to Achish, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And David said to Achish, If I have now found grace in thy eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

World English Bible
David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David says to Achish, “Now if I have found grace in your eyes, they give a place to me in one of the cities of the field, and I dwell there, indeed, why does your servant dwell in the royal city with you?”

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith unto Achish, 'If, I pray thee, I have found grace in thine eyes, they give to me a place in one of the cities of the field, and I dwell there, yea, why doth thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will say to Achish, If now I found grace in thine eyes, will they give me a place in one city of the field, and I will dwell there: and why shall thy servant dwell in the city of the kingdom with thee?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David said to Achis: If I have found favour in thy sight, let a place be given me in one of the cities of this country, that I may dwell there: for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And David said to Achish: “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be given to me in one of the cities of this region, so that I may live there. For why should your servant stay in the city of the king with you?”

New American Bible
David said to Achish: “If I meet with your approval, let me have a place to live in one of the country towns. Why should your servant live with you in the royal city?”

New Revised Standard Version
Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your sight, let a place be given me in one of the country towns, so that I may live there; for why should your servant live in the royal city with you?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David said to Achish, If I have now found grace in your eyes, let the people give me a place in one of the towns in the desert, that I may dwell there; so that your servant may not dwell in the royal city with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David said to Akish: “If I have found friendship in your eyes, give to me a place in one of the towns that is in the wilderness, and I shall dwell there, and your Servant will not dwell in the city of the kingdom with you”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David said unto Achish: 'If now I have found favour in thine eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there; for why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David said to Anchus, If now thy servant has found grace in thine eyes, let them give me, I pray thee, a place in one of the cities in the country, and I will dwell there: for why does thy servant dwell with thee in a royal city?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David and the Philistines
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
1 Samuel 29:3-5
Then the commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish replied, “Is this not David, the servant of King Saul of Israel? He has been with me all these days, even years, and from the day he defected until today I have found no fault in him.” / But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with Achish and told him, “Send that man back and let him return to the place you assigned him. He must not go down with us into battle only to become our adversary during the war. What better way for him to regain the favor of his master than with the heads of our men? / Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

1 Samuel 21:10-15
That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. / But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” / Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. ...

2 Samuel 15:7-9
After four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD. / For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’” / “Go in peace,” said the king. So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.

1 Kings 2:39-40
After three years, however, two of Shimei’s slaves ran away to Achish son of Maacah, king of Gath. And Shimei was told, “Look, your slaves are in Gath.” / So Shimei saddled his donkey and set out to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves, and he brought them back from Gath.

Joshua 21:12
But they had given the fields and villages around the city to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.

1 Chronicles 12:1-22
Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin): / Ahiezer their chief and Joash, who were the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite; ...

2 Kings 8:1-2
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines.

Genesis 20:1
Now Abraham journeyed from there to the region of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was staying in Gerar,

Genesis 26:1
Now there was another famine in the land, subsequent to the one that had occurred in Abraham’s time. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar.

Ruth 1:1
In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab.

Matthew 2:13-15
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Luke 9:58
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

John 7:1
After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.

Acts 9:25
One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.


Treasury of Scripture

And David said to Achish, If I have now found grace in your eyes, let them give me a place in some town in the country, that I may dwell there: for why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?

some town

Genesis 46:34
That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

2 Corinthians 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

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1 Samuel 27
1. Saul, hearing David to be in Gath, seeks no more for him
5. David begs Ziklag of Achish
8. He, invading other countries, persuades Achish he fought against Judah.














Then David said to Achish
David, the anointed future king of Israel, finds himself in a precarious situation, seeking refuge among the Philistines, Israel's enemies. The name "Achish" refers to the Philistine king of Gath. Historically, Gath was one of the five major Philistine cities, and Achish is a title akin to "king" or "ruler." David's approach to Achish demonstrates his strategic acumen and humility, as he seeks to navigate his survival while maintaining his integrity. This moment reflects David's reliance on God's providence, even when circumstances seem dire.

If I have found favor in your eyes
The phrase "found favor" is a recurring biblical motif, often indicating divine or royal approval. In Hebrew, "favor" is "chen," which conveys grace or kindness. David's request is couched in humility and respect, acknowledging Achish's authority. This reflects a broader biblical principle of seeking peace and favor with those in authority, as seen in the lives of Joseph and Daniel. David's diplomatic approach underscores the importance of wisdom and discernment in dealing with those outside the covenant community.

let a place be assigned to me
David's request for a specific dwelling place indicates his desire for autonomy and separation from the Philistine court. The Hebrew word for "assigned" is "natan," meaning to give or grant. This request is strategic, allowing David to maintain his identity and leadership over his men while avoiding potential conflicts or suspicions that might arise from living too closely with the Philistines. It highlights the importance of setting boundaries and seeking God's guidance in unfamiliar or challenging environments.

in one of the country towns
David's choice of a "country town" rather than a prominent city suggests a desire for simplicity and discretion. The Hebrew term "sadeh" refers to open fields or rural areas, emphasizing David's preference for a humble and less conspicuous lifestyle. This decision reflects his understanding of leadership as service, prioritizing the well-being of his followers over personal comfort or prestige. It also foreshadows the pastoral imagery often associated with David as a shepherd-king.

that I may live there
The phrase "live there" indicates David's intention to establish a temporary but stable residence. The Hebrew verb "yashab" means to dwell or settle, suggesting a sense of permanence and peace. David's request is not merely for survival but for a place where he can continue to lead and protect his people. This reflects the biblical theme of God providing places of refuge and rest for His people, even in the midst of trials and uncertainties.

Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?
David refers to himself as "your servant," a term of humility and respect. The Hebrew word "ebed" denotes a servant or bondman, highlighting David's willingness to serve and submit to Achish's authority. His rhetorical question underscores the potential risks and complications of residing in the "royal city," where political intrigue and scrutiny could endanger his mission. This statement reveals David's wisdom in recognizing the importance of maintaining a distinct identity and purpose, even while navigating complex political landscapes. It serves as a reminder of the need for discernment and faithfulness in fulfilling God's calling, regardless of external circumstances.

(5) Why should thy servant dwell in the royal city with thee?--The real reason why David wished a separate residence was that he might conduct his forays and other affairs apart from the supervision of his Philistine friends. They had one purpose in welcoming him and his band, he had quite another. Achish trusted that through David's assistance powerful military demonstrations in the southern districts of Saul's kingdom might be made. At this time the Philistine nation were preparing for that grand national effort against Saul which culminated in the battle of Mount Gilboa. David, on the other hand, intended, from a comparatively secure centre of operations somewhere in Philistia, to harry those nomad foes of Israel whose home was in the deserts to the south of Canaan.

Verses 5, 6. - If l have now found grace in thine eyes. Now is not an adverb of time, but means "I pray," i.e. If verily I have found favour with thee. David's position was one of difficulty. The fame of his exploits, and of Saul's vain pursuit of him, made Achish no doubt regard him as a bitter foe of the Israelite king, and expect valuable assistance from him; whereas David was unwilling to take up arms even against Saul, and much less against his own countrymen. He is anxious, therefore, to get away from a too close observation of his acts, and requests Achish to give him a place in some town in the country. Hebrew, "a place in one of the cities in the field." Why should thy servant, etc. David's presence with so large a following must in many ways have been inconvenient as well as expensive to Achish. In some small country town David and his men would maintain themselves. Achish accordingly gives him Ziklag, a small place assigned first of all to Judah (Joshua 15:31), but subsequently to Simeon (ibid. 19:5). Its exact position is not known. It seems to have been valued by David's successors, as it is noted that it still belonged unto the kings of Judah. This phrase proves that the Book of Samuel must have been compiled at a date subsequent to the revolt of Jeroboam, while the concluding words, unto this day, equally plainly indicate a date prior to the Babylonian exile.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then David
דָּוִ֜ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Achish,
אָכִ֗ישׁ (’ā·ḵîš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 397: Achish -- king of Gath

“If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I have found
מָצָ֨אתִי (mā·ṣā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

favor
חֵ֤ן (ḥên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2580: Graciousness, subjective, objective

in your eyes,
בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

let me be assigned
יִתְּנוּ־ (yit·tə·nū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

a place
מָק֗וֹם (mā·qō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

in one
בְּאַחַ֛ת (bə·’a·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-b | Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of the outlying
הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

towns,
עָרֵ֥י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

so I can live
וְאֵ֣שְׁבָה (wə·’ê·šə·ḇāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

there.
שָּׁ֑ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

For why
וְלָ֨מָּה (wə·lām·māh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

should your servant
עַבְדְּךָ֛ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

live
יֵשֵׁ֧ב (yê·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in the royal
הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה (ham·mam·lā·ḵāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4467: Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign

city
בְּעִ֥יר (bə·‘îr)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

with you?”
עִמָּֽךְ׃ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT History: 1 Samuel 27:5 David said to Achish If now (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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