1 Samuel 27:8-12

1 Samuel 27:8-12

[8] And David  and his men  went up,  and invaded  the Geshurites,  and the Gezrites,  and the Amalekites:  for those  nations were of old  the inhabitants  of the land,  as thou goest  to Shur,  even unto the land  of Egypt.  [9] 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.  [10] And Achish  said,  Whither  have ye made a road  to day?  And David  said,  Against the south  of Judah,  and against the south  of the Jerahmeelites,  and against the south  of the Kenites.  [11] And David  saved  neither man  nor woman  alive,  to bring  tidings to Gath,  saying,  Lest they should tell  on us, saying,  So did  David,  and so will be his manner  all the while  he dwelleth  in the country  of the Philistines.  [12] And Achish  believed  David,  saying,  He hath made his people  Israel  utterly  him; therefore he shall be my servant  for ever. 

What does 1 Samuel 27:8-12 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

David used the opportunity that his location afforded to defeat and to annihilate the common enemies of Israel and the Philistines that lived to Israel"s southwest. David did not leave any survivors, as the Lord had commanded ( Deuteronomy 3:18-20; Joshua 1:13). He was clearing the Promised Land of foreign foes so the Israelites could occupy it. David walked a thin line of deception but was able to convince Achish that his victories were for the welfare of the Philistines. Really he was conquering Israel"s surrounding enemies, but he gave Achish the impression that his raids were against the southern portions in Judah. David continued to subdue Israel"s enemy neighbors later when he became king ( 2 Samuel 8). Achish believed that David had alienated himself from the Israelites and would therefore be loyal to him from then on ( 1 Samuel 27:12; cf. 1 Samuel 17:9).
"Like Nabal [1], Achish seriously underestimates David by regarding him as a servant or slave." [2]