Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.” New Living Translation an urgent message reached Saul that the Philistines were raiding Israel again. English Standard Version a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land.” Berean Standard Bible Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” Berean Literal Bible And a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have pushed against the land.” King James Bible But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. New King James Version But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land!” New American Standard Bible But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have launched an attack against the land!” NASB 1995 But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.” NASB 1977 But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.” Legacy Standard Bible But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.” Amplified Bible But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, because the Philistines have attacked the land.” Berean Annotated Bible Then a messenger came to Saul (desired), saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines (immigrants) have raided the land!” Christian Standard Bible Then a messenger came to Saul saying, “Come quickly, because the Philistines have raided the land! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then a messenger came to Saul saying, “Come quickly, because the Philistines have raided the land!” American Standard Version But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have made a raid upon the land. Contemporary English Version when a messenger came to Saul and said, "Come quickly! The Philistines are attacking Israel and taking everything." English Revised Version But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have made a raid upon the land. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then a messenger came to Saul and said, "Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the country." Good News Translation Just then a messenger arrived and said to Saul, "Come back at once! The Philistines are invading the country!" International Standard Version Then a messenger came to Saul with this news: "Come quickly, because the Philistines have made a raid on the land!" NET Bible But a messenger came to Saul saying, "Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!" New Heart English Bible But a messenger came to Saul, saying, "Hurry and come; for the Philistines have made a raid on the land." Webster's Bible Translation But there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” World English Bible But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid on the land!” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd a messenger has come to Saul, saying, “Hurry, and come, for the Philistines have pushed against the land.” Berean Literal Bible And a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have pushed against the land.” Young's Literal Translation And a messenger hath come in unto Saul, saying, 'Haste, and come, for the Philistines have pushed against the land.' Smith's Literal Translation And a messenger came to Saul, saying, Hasten and come, for the rovers plundered upon the land. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd a messenger came to Saul, saying: Make haste to come, for the Philistines have poured in themselves upon the land. Catholic Public Domain Version And a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, because the Philistines have poured themselves out upon the land.” New American Bible Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, because the Philistines have invaded the land.” New Revised Standard Version Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come; for the Philistines have made a raid on the land.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Make haste and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And a Messenger came to Shaul and said to him: “Come quickly, because the Philistines have encamped in all the land!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying: 'Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have made a raid upon the land.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come hither, for the Philistines have invaded the land. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Saul Pursues David…26Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them. 27Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” 28So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth.… Cross References Then a messenger came to Saul, 1 Samuel 4:12-17 That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line all the way to Shiloh, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. / When he arrived, there was Eli, sitting on his chair beside the road and watching, because his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the whole city cried out. / Eli heard the outcry and asked, “Why this commotion?” So the man hurried over and reported to Eli. … 2 Samuel 1:3-4 “Where have you come from?” David asked. “I have escaped from the Israelite camp,” he replied. / “What was the outcome?” David asked. “Please tell me.” “The troops fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” 2 Samuel 18:19-31 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.” / But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.” / So Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running. … saying, “Come quickly, 1 Samuel 20:38 Then Jonathan cried out, “Hurry! Make haste! Do not delay!” So the boy picked up the arrow and returned to his master. 2 Kings 4:24 Then she saddled the donkey and told her servant, “Drive onward; do not slow the pace for me unless I tell you.” Genesis 45:9 Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay. for the Philistines have raided the land!” 1 Samuel 13:17-18 And raiders went out of the Philistine camp in three divisions. One headed toward Ophrah in the land of Shual, / another toward Beth-horon, and the third down the border road overlooking the Valley of Zeboim facing the wilderness. 1 Chronicles 14:13-16 Once again the Philistines raided the valley. / So David again inquired of God, who answered him, “Do not march up after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. / As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because this will mean that God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” … Judges 15:9-12 Then the Philistines went up, camped in Judah, and deployed themselves near the town of Lehi. / “Why have you attacked us?” said the men of Judah. The Philistines replied, “We have come to arrest Samson and pay him back for what he has done to us.” / In response, three thousand men of Judah went to the cave at the rock of Etam, and they asked Samson, “Do you not realize that the Philistines rule over us? What have you done to us?” “I have done to them what they did to me,” he replied. … Psalm 18:17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from foes too mighty for me. Psalm 31:2-3 Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance. / For You are my rock and my fortress; lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name. Psalm 54:3-4 For strangers rise up against me, and ruthless men seek my life—men with no regard for God. Selah / Surely God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul. Psalm 91:3-4 Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly plague. / He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart. Psalm 124:7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the net is torn, and we have slipped away. 2 Samuel 22:1 And David sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 Samuel 22:20 He brought me out into the open; He rescued me because He delighted in me. Treasury of Scripture But there came a messenger to Saul, saying, Haste you, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. there came Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. Deuteronomy 32:36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. 2 Kings 19:9 And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying, the Philistines 2 Kings 19:9 And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying, Revelation 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. invaded [heb] spread themselves upon 1 Chronicles 14:13 And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley. Jump to Previous Haste Hurry Invaded Messenger Philistines Pushed Quick Quickly Raid Raiding SaulJump to Next Haste Hurry Invaded Messenger Philistines Pushed Quick Quickly Raid Raiding Saul1 Samuel 23 1. David, enquiring of the Lord by Abiathar, rescues Keilah7. God showing him the coming of Saul, and the treachery of the Keilites, 13. he escapes from Keilah 14. In Ziph Jonathan comes and comforts him 19. The Ziphites discover him to Saul 25. At Maon he is rescued from Saul by the invasion of the Philistines 29. He dwells at En Gedi Then a messenger came to Saul In the context of 1 Samuel 23, Saul is in pursuit of David, who is hiding in the wilderness of Ziph. The arrival of a messenger signifies a pivotal moment, interrupting Saul's pursuit. Messengers in ancient times were crucial for communication, often traveling long distances to deliver urgent news. This moment highlights the providence of God in protecting David, as the messenger's timing is critical in diverting Saul's attention. saying, “Come quickly for the Philistines have raided the land!” Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel. At this point in the account, Saul is pursuing David, who is seen as a threat to his throne. 2. David The future king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, who is fleeing from Saul's attempts to kill him. David is hiding in the wilderness of Ziph at this time. 3. Philistines A recurring enemy of Israel, known for their military prowess and frequent conflicts with the Israelites. 4. Ziph A wilderness area in Judah where David was hiding from Saul. The Ziphites had informed Saul of David's location. 5. Messenger An unnamed individual who brings urgent news to Saul, causing him to abandon his pursuit of David to address the Philistine threat. Teaching Points Divine InterventionGod's providence is evident as He orchestrates events to protect His anointed, David. This reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances and can use even our enemies to fulfill His purposes. God's Timing The timing of the messenger's arrival is crucial. It teaches us to trust in God's perfect timing, even when we are in distress or danger. Faith in Adversity David's faith is tested as he is pursued by Saul. His reliance on God during this time is a model for us to maintain faith and trust in God during our own trials. The Role of Enemies The Philistines, though enemies of Israel, are used by God to divert Saul. This illustrates how God can use any situation or person, even those opposed to us, for our good and His glory. The Power of Prayer Reflecting on Psalm 54, we see the importance of prayer in seeking God's help and expressing trust in His deliverance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 23:27?2. How does 1 Samuel 23:27 demonstrate God's providence in David's life? 3. What can we learn about God's timing from 1 Samuel 23:27? 4. How does 1 Samuel 23:27 connect to Romans 8:28 about God's plans? 5. How should we respond when God intervenes in our challenges like David? 6. What practical steps can we take to trust God's deliverance in trials? 7. How does 1 Samuel 23:27 demonstrate God's intervention in human affairs? 8. What does 1 Samuel 23:27 reveal about divine timing and providence? 9. How does the escape in 1 Samuel 23:27 reflect God's protection over David? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 23? 11. Does Saul’s abrupt departure to confront the Philistines (1 Samuel 23:27–28) accurately reflect known Philistine incursions, or is it merely a narrative device? 12. Does the historical context implied in Psalm 70 align with any known archaeological evidence for David’s reign? 13. How do we reconcile Psalm 54:7’s claim that God delivered the psalmist from all trouble with the ongoing struggles David faced elsewhere in Scripture? 14. If this psalm is attributed to David (Psalm 54 title), is there verifiable historical proof of him composing it during his conflict with the Ziphites? What Does 1 Samuel 23:27 Mean Then a messenger came to Saul- Saul has David cornered on the mountain (1 Samuel 23:26). At that very instant, an unnamed courier appears. God’s timing is perfect, “For the LORD directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). - An ordinary messenger becomes the instrument God uses to thwart a king’s murderous intent, echoing 1 Samuel 19:11-12 and Acts 23:16-24. - The scene underlines divine sovereignty: “Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand” (1 Samuel 23:14). saying - Scripture pauses to highlight the spoken report. Words guided by God can upend human schemes (Proverbs 18:21). - Similar pivotal “sayings” redirect history: 2 Kings 19:9-11 turns Assyria homeward; Acts 16:9 sends Paul to Macedonia. - God often works through simple speech rather than spectacle, reminding us to heed faithful testimony. Come quickly - Urgency overrides Saul’s vendetta. National duty eclipses personal obsession. - The Lord leverages civic responsibility to restrain sin, just as He later moves a Roman commander to protect Paul in Acts 23:23-24. - David would one day cry, “Hasten, O God, to deliver me” (Psalm 70:1). Here God hastens Saul instead, protecting David before he prays. for the Philistines have raided the land! - A Philistine attack—a real crisis—forces Saul to break off pursuit. God turns enemy aggression into David’s escape route, reminiscent of Judges 15:9 and 1 Samuel 13:17. - Saul’s original calling was to save Israel from the Philistines (1 Samuel 9:16). This raid is a providential reminder of that neglected mandate. - “The land is Mine” (Leviticus 25:23); defending it is the king’s first obligation, highlighting how God reorders priorities for national good and His redemptive plan. summary 1 Samuel 23:27 captures a divinely timed interruption that delivers David and redirects Saul. God uses an unnamed messenger, an urgent word, and even a Philistine invasion to safeguard His anointed and steer Israel’s history. The verse assures believers that the Lord still orchestrates circumstances with pinpoint precision to fulfill His unfailing promises. (27) The Philistines have invaded the land.--This, as Lange well observes, was "God's plan to save David." The Philistines had probably availed themselves of the opportunity which Saul's withdrawal of his forces southward to surround the armed band of David had given them, and were invading in force the more northern provinces.Hebrew Then a messengerוּמַלְאָ֣ךְ (ū·mal·’āḵ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel came בָּ֔א (bā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Saul, שָׁא֖וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites saying, לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “Come וְלֵ֔כָה (wə·lê·ḵāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk quickly, מַהֲרָ֣ה (ma·hă·rāh) Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 4116: To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptly for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the Philistines פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm) Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia have raided פָשְׁט֥וּ (p̄ā·šə·ṭū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid the land!” הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Links 1 Samuel 23:27 NIV1 Samuel 23:27 NLT 1 Samuel 23:27 ESV 1 Samuel 23:27 NASB 1 Samuel 23:27 KJV 1 Samuel 23:27 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 23:27 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 23:27 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 23:27 French Bible 1 Samuel 23:27 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 23:27 But there came a messenger to Saul (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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