1 Samuel 27:2

1Sa 27:2 And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that [were] with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

Ver. 2. And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men.] Who might have done far better service in fighting against the Philistines in that fatal battle; {1Sa 31:1-7} and haply have hindered that great slaughter of God’s people: but there was a providence in it, God fetching good out of evil; as the Athenians fancied that their goddess Minerva ordered their evil counsels to the best events. The Philistines entertained them gladly, as the Persians did Themistocles, the Lacedemonians Alcibiades, and the Volscians Coriolanus. But David and his men may no more be excused herein, say some, than if a captain with a band of men being Christian should flee to the Turk to fight for him. Others think that he did well and wisely; from whom I dissent.

Unto Achish … king of Gath.] But fide publica, it is like; upon better security beforehand given than formerly was had; else he would hardly have ventured.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

1Sa 27:2. Unto Achish the son of Maoch — “Most writers agree that this Achish, to whom David now fled, was not the Achish by whom he was so inhospitably received, and from whom he so narrowly escaped, when he was before at Gath. His being here called Achish the son of Maoch, sufficiently implies him to have been another person; for those words can, in the nature of the thing, have no use but to distinguish this Achish from another of the same name. And indeed this Achish seems as well distinguished from the other by the rest of his character, as by that of the son of Maoch. But this, by the way, is a fair proof that this book was written at the time that it is said to have been written; insomuch as this distinction was information enough to the people of that age, but could neither be given nor received as such either by any writer or reader of any subsequent age.” — Delaney.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

27:2 This was David’s second sojourn with Achish, the Philistine king (see 21:10-15). On both occasions, David lied to him (see 27:10).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath--The popular description of this king's family creates a presumption that he was a different king from the reigning sovereign on David's first visit to Gath. Whether David had received a special invitation from him or a mere permission to enter his territories, cannot be determined. It is probable that the former was the case. From the universal notoriety given to the feud between Saul and David, which had now become irreconcilable, it might appear to Achish good policy to harbor him as a guest, and so the better pave the way for the hostile measures against Israel which the Philistines were at this time meditating.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 2. David arose, and he passed over - unto Achish] There is not one circumstance in this transaction that is not blameable. David joins the enemies of his God and of his country, acts a most inhuman part against the Geshurites and Amalekites, without even the pretense of a Divine authority; tells a most deliberate falsehood to Achish, his protector, relative to the people against whom he had perpetrated this cruel act; giving him to understand that he had been destroying the Israelites, his enemies. I undertake no defence of this conduct of David; it is all bad, all defenceless; God vindicates him not. The inspired penman tells what he did, but passes no eulogium upon his conduct; and it is false to say that, because these things are recorded, therefore they are approved. In all these transactions David was in no sense a man after God's own heart. Chandler attempts to vindicate all this conduct: those who can receive his saying, let them receive it.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(2) The six hundred men.—This was the original number. They still formed the nucleus of the force, but the total number was now far larger. These “six hundred” had each their households, besides which, many a group of warriors, large and small, had already joined the now renowned standard of the future king.

Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.—The same, we believe, as that Achish to whom David fled before (see 1Sa_21:11), and identical with Achish, son of Maachah (1Ki_2:39). This would involve the necessity of ascribing a fifty years’ reign to this prince. (Such a lengthy reign is quite possible.) The whole of Philistia subsequently fell under King David’s rule. It seems, however, that he permitted, even after the conquest, Achish to remain in his old city of Gath, most likely as his tributary: thus, we may suppose, paying back the old debt of kindness to Achish.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. Achish, the son of Maoch] If he was the same as the Achish of 1Sa_21:10, and the Achish son of Maachah of 1Ki_2:39, he must have reigned some fifty years. But more probably the same name was borne by different individuals.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And David arose,.... From the place where he was:

and he passed over; the borders of land of Canaan:

with the six hundred men that were with him; having neither lost any, nor had any added to him, since he was at Keilah, Sa1 23:13,

unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath; whether this was the same Achish David was with before, Sa1 21:10, is not certain; it seems as if he was not the same, since he is described as the son of Maoch, as if it was to distinguish him from him; though it is not improbable that he was the same person. Some think (a) that he is described not from his father, but from his mother, whose name was Maacha. The circumstances of David were now very much altered from what they were when he went to Gath before; then he went secretly, now openly; then as a person unknown, now as well known; then alone, now with six hundred men; then when discovered he was seized by the princes of Gath, and brought before the king, and was driven from his presence; but now he came either at the invitation of Achish, hearing how he had been treated by Saul, and thinking to attach him to his interest, and make him more and more the enemy of Saul, and so free himself from a very powerful one, and of whose wisdom and prudence, and military skill, and courage, and valour, he might hope to avail himself; or David sent an embassy to him, to treat with him about his coming into his country, and settlement in it, and terms to mutual satisfaction were agreed upon.

(a) Hieron. Trad. Heb, in 2 Reg. fol. 78. E.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Maoch, or Maacha, 3 Kings ii. 29. This king had perhaps seen David, when he counterfeited madness. But now he was convinced that, by granting him protection, he would greatly annoy Saul, and draw many brave men out of his dominions.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

It might seem a bold adventure; but,

1. He thought himself forced to it by Saul’s inveterate rage, and continued resolutions to persecute him.

2. It is probable he had sent some persons to treat with him, and had agreed upon conditions, and received assurance of his safe and peaceable abode with him.

3. David reasonably thought that Achish would gladly receive him, as indeed he did; partly, because he saw Saul’s implacable enmity against him; partly, because by this means he should be freed from the most formidable enemy which he had in all Israel, who might do him most mischief in the battle; which it seems at this time he designed; and partly, because he came not now alone, as he did before, but brought with him sufficient pledges of his fidelity to Achish; namely, all his soldiers, and his and their wives, 1Sa 27:3.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. Achish, the son of Maoch — Probably the same person mentioned

1Sa_21:11. But David’s reception in Gath was very different from that of the former occasion. “The inveterate hatred of Saul, now so well known, was his recommendation, and no distrust could be entertained of a man who fled for his life to the enemies of his country — exasperated by wrongs, and willing, it might be supposed, to avenge them.” — Kitto.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Vers. 2-4. Achish, the son of Maoch. No doubt the Achish of 1Sa_21:10; but if the same as Achish, son of Maachah, in 1Ki_2:39, as is probably the case, he must have lived to a good old age. As it is said in 1Ch_18:1 that David conquered the Philistines, and took from them Gath and other towns, it would seem that he still permitted Achish to remain there as a tributary king, while Ziklag he kept as his private property (ver. 6). On the former occasion,. when David was alone, Achish had paid him but scant courtesy; but now that he came with 600 warriors, each with his household, and, therefore, with numerous followers, he shows him every respect, and for the time David and his men settle at Gath, and Saul gives over his pursuit, knowing that if he followed him into Philistine territory he would provoke a war, for which he was not now prepared. It has been pointed out that David probably introduced from Gath the style of music called Gittith. (Ps 8 Ps 81 Ps 84., titles)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He forsakes the place where God had settled him, chap. xxii, 5, and given him both assurance and experience of his protection there.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

David arose and passed over

"David took action; he passed over"

passed over

"passed over the border between Israel and Philistia"

six hundred men

600 (See: Numbers)

Achish

This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 21:10. (See: How to Translate Names)

Maok

This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

Ahinoam

This is the name of a woman. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 14:50. (See: How to Translate Names)

Abigail

This is the name of a woman. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 25:3. (See: How to Translate Names)

Nabal

This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in 1 Samuel 25:3. (See: How to Translate Names)

Saul was told

This can be stated in active form. AT: "Someone told Saul" or "Saul heard" (See: Active or Passive)

translationWords

raise

king

Gath

life

household

Jezreel

Carmel

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.