And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.

1 SAMUEL 27:9KJV
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1 Samuel 27:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 27:9 mean?

1 Samuel 27:9 describes how David attacked certain territories, leaving no man or woman alive, and took livestock and goods before returning to Achish. The verse shows David’s actions while he was living among the Philistines, carrying out raids and bringing the spoils back to his Philistine host.

In this passage, David is not speaking but acting; the narrative describes his raids during his time under the protection of Achish, king of Gath. David’s actions are strategic—he eliminates witnesses and brings back livestock and clothing as evidence of his raids. This verse highlights the lengths David went to in order to maintain his position and safety while living as a fugitive from King Saul.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 27:9

  • "Smote" (נָכָה, nakah): This word means to strike or defeat, often with violence. Here, it emphasizes the thoroughness and severity of David’s raids.
  • "Land" (אֶרֶץ, erets): This term can mean land, region, or territory. The verse is not naming a specific nation but rather areas David targeted.
  • "Returned" (שׁוּב, shuv) and "came" (בּוֹא, bo): These words show a deliberate action—David is not just raiding but consistently returning to Achish, reinforcing his relationship with the Philistine king.

Why 1 Samuel 27:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s actions were calculated and ruthless, not just random violence; he was intentionally removing any witnesses who could report his true activities.
  • The verse helps explain how David maintained Achish’s trust, as Achish believed David was raiding Israelite enemies, not allies.
  • It connects to the wider story by showing the complexity of David’s situation as a fugitive, highlighting both his cunning and the moral ambiguity of his choices during this period.

Where else these words appear

“Achish” Hebrew H397 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
  • 1 Samuel 27:5 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?
  • 1 Samuel 29:2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.

“camels” Hebrew H1581 · used in 51 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Genesis 30:43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:21 And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.

“asses” Hebrew H2543 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
  • Numbers 31:28 And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep:
  • 1 Samuel 25:23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,