And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

1 SAMUEL 27:4KJV
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1 Samuel 27:4 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 27:4 mean?

1 Samuel 27:4 marks a change in Saul’s pursuit of David. Once Saul learns that David has fled to Gath, he stops looking for him. David’s move has taken him beyond the area where Saul had been pursuing him.

The verse reports what Saul heard and how he responded; the narrator is not describing a conversation between Saul and David. Gath was a Philistine city, outside the land Saul ruled. After David’s arrival there in verse 3, the news reaches Saul.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 27:4

  • “told” — נָגַד (nagad): This word can mean to report or make something known. Here, it presents David’s arrival as news brought to Saul.
  • “again” — יָסַף (yasaf): This word can express doing something further or continuing an action. With “no more,” it marks an end to Saul’s search at this point in the story.

Why 1 Samuel 27:4 matters

  • David’s move answers a fear he had expressed earlier. In verse 1, David says he expects Saul to keep seeking him within Israel’s borders; verse 4 shows Saul’s response after David reaches Gath.
  • The report to Saul is a turning point in the account. The words “it was told Saul” connect David’s whereabouts with Saul’s decision to stop searching, making the news itself important to the change.

Where else these words appear

“Gath” Hebrew H1661 · used in 31 verses

  • Joshua 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
  • 1 Samuel 27:3 And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

“fled” Hebrew H1272 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 16:6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
  • 1 Samuel 22:20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
  • Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.