Free group study handout
1 Samuel 27: Group Study Handout
How to use: read 1 Samuel 27 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
David decides to escape Saul by fleeing to Gath, the land of the Philistines, with his six hundred men (vv. 1-2). In Gath, David lives with Achish, along with his two wives, and the news of David's location reaches Saul, who no longer seeks him (vv.
Key verse
“David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?”
1 Samuel 27:5 (WEB)
Outline
- 1 Samuel 27:1–2 David’s Decision to Flee
- 1 Samuel 27:3–4 Settling in Gath
- 1 Samuel 27:5–6 Request for a Place to Live
- 1 Samuel 27:7–8 David's Raids
- 1 Samuel 27:9–11 Deception of Achish
- 1 Samuel 27:12 Achish's Trust in David
Discussion questions
- In v2, who does David seek refuge with when he goes to the Philistines?
- What location does Achish offer to David in v6?
- David's deception in vv. 9-10: why does he choose to mislead Achish about his raids?
- Achish's belief in v12: what does it suggest about David's standing with Israel?
- When have you felt the need to deceive to protect yourself, like David in v11?
Go deeper
Passages that echo 1 Samuel 27: 1 Samuel 30, 1 Samuel 15, 1 Samuel 25.
Before next time: read 1 Samuel 28.