1 And David{H1732} said{H559}{(H8799)} in his heart{H3820}, I shall now perish{H5595}{(H8735)} one{H259} day{H3117} by the hand{H3027} of Saul{H7586}: there is nothing better{H2896} for me than that{H3588} I should speedily{H4422}{(H8736)} escape{H4422}{(H8735)} into the land{H776} of the Philistines{H6430}; and Saul{H7586} shall despair{H2976}{(H8738)} of me, to seek{H1245}{(H8763)} me any more in any coast{H1366} of Israel{H3478}: so shall I escape{H4422}{(H8738)} out of his hand{H3027}.

2 And David{H1732} arose{H6965}{(H8799)}, and he passed over{H5674}{(H8799)} with the six{H8337} hundred{H3967} men{H376} that were with him unto Achish{H397}, the son{H1121} of Maoch{H4582}, king{H4428} of Gath{H1661}.

3 And David{H1732} dwelt{H3427}{(H8799)} with Achish{H397} at Gath{H1661}, he and his men{H582}, every man{H376} with his household{H1004}, even David{H1732} with his two{H8147} wives{H802}, Ahinoam{H293} the Jezreelitess{H3159}, and Abigail{H26} the Carmelitess{H3762}, Nabal's{H5037} wife{H802}.

4 And it was told{H5046}{(H8714)} Saul{H7586} that David{H1732} was fled{H1272}{(H8804)} to Gath{H1661}: and he sought{H1245}{(H8763)} no more again{H3254}{(H8804)}{(H8675)}{H3254}{(H8686)} for him.

5 And David{H1732} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Achish{H397}, If I have now found{H4672}{(H8804)} grace{H2580} in thine eyes{H5869}, let them give{H5414}{(H8799)} me a place{H4725} in some{H259} town{H5892} in the country{H7704}, that I may dwell{H3427}{(H8799)} there: for why should thy servant{H5650} dwell{H3427}{(H8799)} in the royal{H4467} city{H5892} with thee?

6 Then Achish{H397} gave{H5414}{(H8799)} him Ziklag{H6860} that day{H3117}: wherefore Ziklag{H6860} pertaineth unto the kings{H4428} of Judah{H3063} unto this day{H3117}.

7 And the time{H4557}{H3117} that David{H1732} dwelt{H3427}{(H8804)} in the country{H7704} of the Philistines{H6430} was a full year{H3117} and four{H702} months{H2320}.

8 And David{H1732} and his men{H582} went up{H5927}{(H8799)}, and invaded{H6584}{(H8799)} the Geshurites{H1651}, and the Gezrites{H1511}, and the Amalekites{H6003}: for those{H2007} nations were of old{H5769} the inhabitants{H3427}{(H8802)} of the land{H776}, as thou goest{H935}{(H8800)} to Shur{H7793}, even unto the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714}.

9 And David{H1732} smote{H5221}{(H8689)} the land{H776}, and left neither man{H376} nor woman{H802} alive{H2421}{(H8762)}, and took away{H3947}{(H8804)} the sheep{H6629}, and the oxen{H1241}, and the asses{H2543}, and the camels{H1581}, and the apparel{H899}, and returned{H7725}{(H8799)}, and came{H935}{(H8799)} to Achish{H397}.

10 And Achish{H397} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Whither{H408} have ye made a road{H6584}{(H8804)} to day{H3117}? And David{H1732} said{H559}{(H8799)}, Against the south{H5045} of Judah{H3063}, and against the south{H5045} of the Jerahmeelites{H3397}, and against the south{H5045} of the Kenites{H7017}.

11 And David{H1732} saved{H2421}{(H8762)} neither man{H376} nor woman{H802} alive{H2421}{(H8762)}, to bring{H935}{(H8687)} tidings to Gath{H1661}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Lest they should tell{H5046}{(H8686)} on us, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, So did{H6213}{(H8804)} David{H1732}, and so will be his manner{H4941} all the while{H3117} he dwelleth{H3427}{(H8804)} in the country{H7704} of the Philistines{H6430}.

12 And Achish{H397} believed{H539}{(H8686)} David{H1732}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, He hath made his people{H5971} Israel{H3478} utterly{H887}{(H8687)} to abhor{H887}{(H8689)} him; therefore he shall be my servant{H5650} for ever{H5769}.