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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/27.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/27.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />David lived in Philistine territory a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/27.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />and they lived there among the Philistines for a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/27.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/27.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the time that David lived in Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/27.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/27.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was one full year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/27.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The number of days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/27.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The number of days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/27.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the number of days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/27.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the number of days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/27.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The number of days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/27.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The length of time that David stayed in Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/27.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The time that David stayed in the Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/27.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the number of the days that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/27.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />David was in Philistia for a year and four months. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/27.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the number of the days that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/27.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />David stayed in Philistine territory for one year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/27.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />David lived in Philistia for sixteen months. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/27.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />David lived in Philistine territory for a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/27.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the time that David lived in Philistine territory amounted to a year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/27.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The length of time that David lived in the Philistine countryside was a year and four months. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/27.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/27.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/27.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/27.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the number of the days which David has dwelt in the field of the Philistines [is one year] of days and four months;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/27.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the number of the days which David hath dwelt in the field of the Philistines is days and four months;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/27.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the number of days which David dwelt in the field of the rovers will be days and four months.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/27.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines, was four months. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/27.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now the number of days that David lived in the region of the Philistines was four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/27.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In all, David lived a year and four months in Philistine territory. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/27.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The length of time that David lived in the country of the Philistines was one year and four months.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/27.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the time that David dwelt in the land of the Philistines was a full year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/27.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the number of days when David dwelt in the land of the Philistines was a season to season and four months<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/27.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the number of the days that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/27.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the number of the days that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was four months.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/27-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=8167" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/27.htm">David and the Philistines</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>That day Achish gave him Ziklag, and to this day it still belongs to the kings of Judah. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yā·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">And the time</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yā·šaḇ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">lived</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: p̄ə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">in Philistine</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: biś·ḏêh (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">territory</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">amounted to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4557.htm" title="4557: mis·par (N-msc) -- Number, tally. From caphar; a number, definite or indefinite; also narration."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">a year</a> <a href="/hebrew/702.htm" title="702: wə·’ar·bā·‘āh (Conj-w:: Number-ms) -- Four. Masculine oarbaah; from raba'; four.">and four</a> <a href="/hebrew/2320.htm" title="2320: ḥo·ḏā·šîm (N-mp) -- New moon, a month. From chadash; the new moon; by implication, a month.">months.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. (From ancient times these people had inhabited the land extending to Shur and Egypt.)…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/29-3.htm">1 Samuel 29:3</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/21-10.htm">1 Samuel 21:10</a></span><br />That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-1.htm">1 Samuel 30:1-2</a></span><br />On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/2-1.htm">2 Samuel 2:1-3</a></span><br />Some time later, David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” “Go up,” the LORD answered. Then David asked, “Where should I go?” “To Hebron,” replied the LORD. / So David went there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. / David also took the men who were with him, each with his household, and they settled in the towns near Hebron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-1.htm">1 Chronicles 12:1</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-19.htm">1 Chronicles 12:19</a></span><br />Some from Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (They did not help the Philistines because the Philistine rulers consulted and sent David away, saying, “It will cost us our heads if he defects to his master Saul.”)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-1.htm">2 Samuel 1:1</a></span><br />After the death of Saul, David returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites and stayed in Ziklag two days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/22-1.htm">1 Samuel 22:1-2</a></span><br />So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and the rest of his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. / And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/23-13.htm">1 Samuel 23:13</a></span><br />Then David and his men, about six hundred strong, set out and departed from Keilah, moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he declined to go forth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-13.htm">1 Samuel 25:13</a></span><br />And David said to his men, “Strap on your swords!” So David and all his men strapped on their swords, and about four hundred men followed David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-26.htm">1 Samuel 30:26-31</a></span><br />When David arrived in Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.” / He sent gifts to those in Bethel, Ramoth Negev, and Jattir; / to those in Aroer, Siphmoth, and Eshtemoa; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-17.htm">2 Samuel 5:17</a></span><br />When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/8-1.htm">2 Samuel 8:1-2</a></span><br />Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/10-1.htm">2 Samuel 10:1-2</a></span><br />Some time later, the king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son Hanun. / And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent some of his servants to console Hanun concerning his father. But when they arrived in the land of the Ammonites,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/15-18.htm">2 Samuel 15:18</a></span><br />and all his servants marched past him—all the Cherethites and Pelethites, and six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the time that David dwelled in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.</p><p class="hdg">the time [heb] the number of days </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/29-3.htm">1 Samuel 29:3</a></b></br> Then said the princes of the Philistines, What <i>do</i> these Hebrews <i>here</i>? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, <i>Is</i> not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell <i>unto me</i> unto this day?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/27-3.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-5.htm">Country</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-5.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-3.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-1.htm">Months</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-3.htm">Philistine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-1.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-13.htm">Space</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-3.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-10.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/30-10.htm">Abode</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-11.htm">Country</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-8.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-11.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-11.htm">Months</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-5.htm">Philistine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-11.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-20.htm">Space</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-14.htm">Territory</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-10.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 27</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/27-1.htm">Saul, hearing David to be in Gath, seeks no more for him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/27-5.htm">David begs Ziklag of Achish</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/27-8.htm">He, invading other countries, persuades Achish he fought against Judah.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/27.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/27.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And the time that David lived in Philistine territory</b><br>David's decision to reside in Philistine territory marks a significant moment in his life. This period occurs after David has been relentlessly pursued by King Saul, who sees him as a threat to his throne. Seeking refuge among the Philistines, traditional enemies of Israel, highlights David's desperation and strategic thinking. The Philistines were a powerful group located in the coastal region of Canaan, known for their advanced iron technology and military prowess. David's presence in their land suggests a temporary alliance or at least a truce, which is unusual given the historical enmity between the Israelites and the Philistines. This move also foreshadows David's complex relationship with foreign nations during his future reign as king.<p><b>amounted to a year and four months.</b><br>The specific duration of David's stay—one year and four months—indicates a significant period of time, allowing for the development of relationships and strategies. This timeframe suggests that David was able to establish a degree of stability and influence within Philistine society. It also implies that David's presence was tolerated, if not welcomed, by Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, who saw potential benefits in having David as an ally. This period allowed David to gather intelligence and resources, which would later aid him in his eventual ascension to the throne of Israel. The length of time also reflects a period of testing and preparation for David, as he navigates life away from his homeland and the pressures of Saul's pursuit.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The anointed future king of Israel, who is currently fleeing from King Saul. David is a central figure in this passage, demonstrating his strategic decision-making during a time of personal crisis.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A group of people who were often in conflict with Israel. David sought refuge among them, specifically with Achish, the king of Gath, to escape Saul's pursuit.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/achish.htm">Achish</a></b><br>The king of Gath, a Philistine city. He provided David with a place to stay, showing a level of trust or political strategy in harboring David.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/z/ziklag.htm">Ziklag</a></b><br>The town given to David by Achish, where David and his men lived during their time in Philistine territory.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The current king of Israel, whose pursuit of David forced David to seek refuge among the Philistines.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/strategic_decision-making_in_crisis.htm">Strategic Decision-Making in Crisis</a></b><br>David's choice to live among the Philistines was a strategic move to ensure his survival. In times of crisis, believers can learn to seek God's wisdom in making difficult decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_plan.htm">Trusting God's Plan</a></b><br>Despite living in enemy territory, David trusted in God's promise that he would one day be king. This teaches us to hold onto God's promises even when circumstances seem contrary.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_in_unlikely_places.htm">God's Provision in Unlikely Places</a></b><br>David found refuge and provision in a place that seemed unlikely. This reminds us that God can provide for us in unexpected ways and places.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_patience.htm">The Importance of Patience</a></b><br>David lived in Philistine territory for a year and four months, a significant period of waiting. This teaches the value of patience and trusting in God's timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/maintaining_integrity.htm">Maintaining Integrity</a></b><br>Despite living among the Philistines, David maintained his identity and integrity as God's chosen leader. Believers are encouraged to uphold their values even in challenging environments.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_27.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 27</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_david_in_philistine_land.htm">Are there historical or archaeological records that confirm David’s stay in Philistine territory mentioned in 1 Samuel 27? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_objection_to_david's_philistine_ties.htm">Why is there no mention of the Israelites objecting to David’s alliance with Philistines in 1 Samuel 29, given David’s notable status and background? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_philistines_suddenly_fear_david.htm">In 1 Samuel 29:3–5, why would the Philistines fear David so abruptly if Achish had trusted him for an extended time? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_divine_disapproval_in_1_samuel_27.htm">Why doesn't the text in 1 Samuel 27 show any direct divine disapproval of David's tactics, despite their questionable ethics?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/27.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">A full year and four months.</span>--Keil calls attention to the exact statement of time here as a proof of the historical character of the whole narrative. The Hebrew expression, translated "a year," is a singular one: <span class= "ital">yamim</span>--literally, <span class= "ital">days</span>--a collective term, used in <a href="/leviticus/25-29.htm" title="And if a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year may he redeem it.">Leviticus 25:29</a>, <a href="/1_samuel/1-3.htm" title="And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.">1Samuel 1:3</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/2-19.htm" title="Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.">1Samuel 2:19</a>, &c., to signify a term or period of days which amounted to a full year. This year and four months were among the darkest days of David's life. He was sorely tried, it is true; but he had adopted the very course his bitterest foes would have wished him to select. In open arms, apparently leagued with the deadliest foes of Israel, like an Italian condottiere or captain of free lances of the Middle Ages, he had taken service and accepted the wages of that very Philistine city whose champion he once had slain in the morning of his career. At last his enemies at the court of Saul had reason when they spoke of him as a traitor. From the curt recital in this chapter, which deals with the saddest portion of David's career, we shall see that while he apparently continued to make common cause with the enemies of his race, he still used his power to help, and not to injure, his countrymen; but the price he paid for his patriotism was a life of falsehood, stained, too, with deeds of fierce cruelty, shocking even in these rough, half-barbarous times.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/27.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A full year.</span> Hebrew, "days." Rashi argues in favour of its meaning <span class="accented">some days</span>, and Josephus says the time of David's stay in Philistia was "four months and twenty days;" but already in <a href="/1_samuel/1-3.htm">1 Samuel 1:3</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/2-19.htm">1 Samuel 2:19</a>, we have had the phrase "from days day-ward in the sense of <span class="accented">yearly</span>, and comp. <a href="/leviticus/25-29.htm">Leviticus 25:29</a>; <a href="/judges/17-10.htm">Judges 17:10</a>; also <a href="/judges/19-2.htm">Judges 19:2</a>, where the A.V. translates the Hebrew <span class="accented">days four months</span> as meaning "four months" only. Probably, as here, it is a year and four months, though the omission of the conjunction is a difficulty. So too for "after a time" (<a href="/judges/14-8.htm">Judges 14:8</a>) it should be "after a year" - Hebrew, <span class="accented">after days.</span> EXPEDITIONS OF DAVID FROM ZIKLAG (vers. 8-12). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/27-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And the time</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיָּמִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">David</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lived</span><br /><span class="heb">יָשַׁ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(yā·šaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Philistine</span><br /><span class="heb">פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ə·liš·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> </span><span class="str2">Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">territory</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(biś·ḏêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> </span><span class="str2">Field, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">amounted to</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיְהִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a year</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and four</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ar·bā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_702.htm">Strong's 702: </a> </span><span class="str2">Four</span><br /><br /><span class="word">months.</span><br /><span class="heb">חֳדָשִֽׁים׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥo·ḏā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2320.htm">Strong's 2320: </a> </span><span class="str2">The new moon, a month</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/27-7.htm">1 Samuel 27:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/27-7.htm">1 Samuel 27:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/27-7.htm">1 Samuel 27:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/27-7.htm">1 Samuel 27:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/27-7.htm">1 Samuel 27:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/27-7.htm">1 Samuel 27:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/27-7.htm">1 Samuel 27:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/27-7.htm">1 Samuel 27:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/27-7.htm">1 Samuel 27:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/27-7.htm">1 Samuel 27:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/27-7.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 27:7 The number of the days that David (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/27-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 27:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 27:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/27-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 27:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 27:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>