Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
David sa til seg selv: «En dag kommer Saul til å drepe meg. Jeg må nok dra langt av sted – til filisternes land. Kanskje Saul vil slutte å lete etter meg, ettersom han ikke vil finne meg i Israel. På den måten kan jeg komme meg bort fra ham.» Så dro David og de 600 mennene han hadde med seg, over til Gat. Der fikk de bo hos kong Akisj, Maoks sønn. Alle Davids menn og familiene deres fikk bo der. David selv hadde med seg de to konene sine, Akinoam fra Jisre’el og karmelittinnen Abigajil fra Karmel, enken etter Nabal. Da Saul fikk høre at David hadde flyktet til Gat, lette han ikke etter ham lenger.
What Does This Mean?
David thinks he might be killed by King Saul, so he decides to run away to Philistia. He hopes that by leaving, Saul will stop looking for him, and David will be safe.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing hide and seek, and you're scared the seeker will find you. So, you decide to hide in a place they won't think to look, like at a friend's house. That's what David did to avoid Saul.
Historical Background
This verse is from the first book of Samuel, written around the 6th century BC. It records David's thoughts and actions as he tries to escape Saul's pursuit. The Philistines were David's enemies, but he hoped they would offer him a safe haven.
Living It Out Today
When facing a difficult situation, sometimes the best solution is to remove yourself from the environment that causes the problem. For example, if someone is bullying you at work, it might be best to find a new job where you can be safe and thrive.
David chose the Philistines because they were enemies of Israel and Saul would not expect him to go there. He believed that Saul would give up looking for him if he thought David had gone to the Philistines.
What was Saul's reaction to David's escape?
The text does not specify Saul's reaction in this verse, but it suggests that David hoped Saul would despair of finding him and stop looking for him.
How did David's escape affect his relationship with the Philistines?
David's escape to the Philistines initially complicated his relationship with them, as he was a wanted fugitive from Israel. Over time, however, he gained favor with the Philistine king Achish.
What can we learn about David's character from this verse?
This verse shows that David was strategic and willing to take risks to ensure his survival. It also reveals his fear and his desire for safety and peace from Saul's threats.