27:5-7
David was effectively in enemy territory. He seeks somewhere else to live, so that he would have more freedom. So he persuades Achish to assign one of the country towns to him. He presents this as being a favour to Achish as well as in his own interests. Achish agrees and gives him Ziklag. Ziklag had originally been given to the tribe of Simeon (Josh 19:1-5). It had later been lost to the Philistines. David and his men lived there for one year and four months. This would be after the death of Saul.
27:8-12
David used Ziklag as a base for raiding various peoples. These people had all lived in the area “from ancient times”. David inflicted wanton destruction and death on the people. Achish asked David what he was doing and David lied to him. At least part of the reason for David killing everyone was so that no one could tell Achish what he was actually doing. So Achish thought David was now “so obnoxious to his people”, and that he would be his servant forever.
When someone powerful is living out of fear they will often cause destruction for many other people.
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