1 Samuel 27:10
New International Version
When Achish asked, “Where did you go raiding today?” David would say, “Against the Negev of Judah” or “Against the Negev of Jerahmeel” or “Against the Negev of the Kenites.”

New Living Translation
“Where did you make your raid today?” Achish would ask. And David would reply, “Against the south of Judah, the Jerahmeelites, and the Kenites.”

English Standard Version
When Achish asked, “Where have you made a raid today?” David would say, “Against the Negeb of Judah,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Kenites.”

Berean Standard Bible
who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.”

King James Bible
And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

New King James Version
Then Achish would say, “Where have you made a raid today?” And David would say, “Against the southern area of Judah, or against the southern area of the Jerahmeelites, or against the southern area of the Kenites.”

New American Standard Bible
Now Achish said, “Where did you carry out an attack today?” And David said, “Against the Negev of Judah, against the Negev of the Jerahmeelites, and against the Negev of the Kenites.”

NASB 1995
Now Achish said, “Where have you made a raid today?” And David said, “Against the Negev of Judah and against the Negev of the Jerahmeelites and against the Negev of the Kenites.”

NASB 1977
Now Achish said, “Where have you made a raid today?” And David said, “Against the Negev of Judah and against the Negev of the Jerahmeelites and against the Negev of the Kenites.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Achish said, “Where have you made a raid today?” And David said, “Against the Negev of Judah and against the Negev of the Jerahmeelites and against the Negev of the Kenites.”

Amplified Bible
When Achish asked, “Where did you raid today?” David replied, “Against the Negev (the South country) of Judah, and against the Negev of the Jerahmeelites, and against the Negev of the Kenites.”

Christian Standard Bible
who inquired, “Where did you raid today? ” David replied, “The south country of Judah,” “The south country of the Jerahmeelites,” or “The south country of the Kenites.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
who inquired, “Where did you raid today?” David replied, “The south country of Judah,” “The south country of the Jerahmeelites,” or “Against the south country of the Kenites.”

American Standard Version
And Achish said, Against whom have ye made a raid to-day? And David said, Against the South of Judah, and against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.

Contemporary English Version
who would ask, "Where did you attack today?" David would answer, "Oh, we attacked some desert town that belonged to the Judah tribe." Sometimes David would say, "Oh, we attacked a town in the desert where the Jerahmeel clan lives" or "We attacked a town in the desert where the Kenites live."

English Revised Version
And Achish said, Whither have ye made a raid today? And David said, Against the South of Judah, and against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Achish would ask, "Whom did you raid today?" And David would answer, "the Negev in Judah," or "the portion of the Negev where the descendants of Jerahmeel live," or "the portion of the Negev where the Kenites live."

Good News Translation
who would ask him, "Where did you go on a raid this time?" and David would tell him that he had gone to the southern part of Judah or to the territory of the clan of Jerahmeel or to the territory where the Kenites lived.

International Standard Version
Achish said, "Where did you raid today?" David answered, "Against the Negev of Judah, against the Negev of the Jerahmeelites, and against the Negev of the Kenites."

Majority Standard Bible
who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.”

NET Bible
When Achish would ask, "Where did you raid today?" David would say, "The Negev of Judah" or "The Negev of Jeharmeel" or "The Negev of the Kenites."

New Heart English Bible
Achish said, "Against whom have you made a raid today?" David would say, "Against the Negev of Judah,"or "Against the Negev of the Jerahmeel, "or"Against the Negev of the Kenites."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to-day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

World English Bible
Achish said, “Against whom have you made a raid today?” David said, “Against the South of Judah, against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Achish says, “To where have you pushed today?” And David says, “Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelite, and to the south of the Kenite.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Achish saith, 'Whither have ye pushed to-day?' and David saith, 'Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelite, and unto the south of the Kenite.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Achish will say, Did ye not plunder this day? and David will say, Upon the south of Judah, and upon the south of the Jerahmeelite, and to the south of the Kenite.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Achis said to him: Whom hast thou gone against to day? David answered: Against the south of Juda, and against the south of Jerameel, and against the south of Ceni.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Achish said to him, “Whom did you go out against today?” And David responded, “Against the south of Judah, and against the south of Jerahmeel, and against the south of Keni.”

New American Bible
who would ask, “Against whom did you raid this time?” David would reply, “Against the Negeb of Judah,” or “Against the Negeb of Jerahmeel,” or “Against the Negeb of the Kenites.”

New Revised Standard Version
When Achish asked, “Against whom have you made a raid today?” David would say, “Against the Negeb of Judah,” or “Against the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Kenites.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Achish said to David, Where have you made a raid today? And David said, Against the south of Judah and against the south of Jerahmel and against the south of Kailah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Akish said to David: “Where were you today?” And David said: “Against the south of Yehuda and against the south of Yarkhmel and against the south of Qayla”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Achish said: 'Whither have ye made a raid to-day?' And David said: 'Against the South of Judah, and against the South of the Jerahmeelites, and against the South of the Kenites.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Anchus said to David, On whom have ye made an attack to-day? And David said to Anchus, On the south of Judea, and on the south of Jesmega, and on the south of the Kenezite.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David and the Philistines
9Whenever David attacked a territory, he did not leave a man or woman alive, but he took the flocks and herds, the donkeys, camels, and clothing. Then he would return to Achish, 10who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.” 11David did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Otherwise they will report us, saying, ‘This is what David did.’ ” And this was David’s custom the whole time he lived in Philistine territory.…

Cross References
Joshua 11:19
No city made peace with the Israelites except the Hivites living in Gibeon; all others were taken in battle.

2 Samuel 3:22-23
Just then David’s soldiers and Joab returned from a raid, bringing with them a great plunder. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, because David had sent him on his way in peace. / When Joab and all his troops arrived, he was informed, “Abner son of Ner came to see the king, who sent him on his way in peace.”

2 Kings 17:24
Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns.

2 Kings 17:29-33
Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places. / The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, / the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim. ...

2 Kings 17:41
So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.

2 Chronicles 28:18
The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages.

Nehemiah 4:11
And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.”

Psalm 120:2
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.

Proverbs 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Proverbs 14:5
An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

Proverbs 21:6
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

Jeremiah 9:3
“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:8
Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 26:70-74
But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.” / When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” / And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Achish said, Where have you made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.

Whither, etc.

1 Samuel 21:2
And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.

Genesis 27:19,20,24
And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me…

Joshua 2:4-6
And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: …

the Jerahmeelites

1 Chronicles 2:9,25
The sons also of Hezron, that were born unto him; Jerahmeel, and Ram, and Chelubai…

Kenites

1 Samuel 15:6
And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.

Numbers 24:21
And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.

Judges 1:16
And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.

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Achish A'chish David Jerahmeel Jerahmeelites Jerah'meelites Judah Kenite Kenites Ken'ites Negeb Negev Pushed Raid Raiding Road South Time Today To-Day Whither
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Achish A'chish David Jerahmeel Jerahmeelites Jerah'meelites Judah Kenite Kenites Ken'ites Negeb Negev Pushed Raid Raiding Road South Time Today To-Day Whither
1 Samuel 27
1. Saul, hearing David to be in Gath, seeks no more for him
5. David begs Ziklag of Achish
8. He, invading other countries, persuades Achish he fought against Judah.














When Achish asked
Achish was the king of Gath, a Philistine city. Historically, the Philistines were often in conflict with Israel, yet David found refuge with Achish. This highlights the complexity of David's situation, as he was anointed to be king of Israel but was living among Israel's enemies. The Hebrew root for "asked" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) implies a seeking or inquiring, indicating Achish's trust in David's reports.

Where did you raid today?
The word "raid" (פָּשַׁט, pashat) in Hebrew suggests a military action or incursion. David's raids were strategic, and his responses to Achish were part of a larger plan to protect his people while maintaining the appearance of loyalty to Achish. This reflects David's cunning and the difficult moral decisions he faced.

David would reply
David's replies were intentionally misleading. The Hebrew verb for "reply" (אָמַר, amar) is a common term for speaking, but in this context, it underscores the careful and deliberate nature of David's communication. His responses were crafted to maintain his cover and protect his true intentions.

The Negev of Judah
The Negev is a desert region in southern Israel. By claiming to raid the Negev of Judah, David suggested he was attacking his own people, which would have pleased Achish. However, David was actually attacking other groups, thus protecting Judah. This demonstrates David's loyalty to his people and his strategic acumen.

The Negev of the Jerahmeelites
The Jerahmeelites were a clan within the tribe of Judah. Mentioning them would further convince Achish of David's supposed betrayal of his own people. Historically, the Jerahmeelites were part of the broader Israelite community, and David's mention of them was part of his ruse.

The Negev of the Kenites
The Kenites were a nomadic tribe with historical ties to Israel, particularly through Moses' father-in-law, Jethro. By claiming to raid the Kenites, David continued to build his false narrative for Achish. This highlights the complex relationships between different groups in the region and David's skill in navigating them.

(10) And David said, Against the south of Judah.--The answer of David to his sovereign lord, the King of Gath--for he was now, to all intents and purposes, a vassal prince of Achish--was simply a falsehood. He had been engaged in distant forays against the old Bedaween enemies of Israel, far away in the desert which stretched to the frontier of Egypt; and from these nomads--rich in cattle and in other property, which they had obtained by years of successful plunder--he seems to have gained much booty, a share of which he brought to his "suzerain," Achish. But David represents that the cattle and apparel had been captured from his own countrymen, whose territory he was harrying. "The Jerahmeelites were descendants of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron (1Chronicles 2:9; 1Chronicles 2:25-26), and therefore one of the three large families of Judah who sprang from Hezron."--Keil, They dwelt, it is believed, on the southern frontier of the tribe of Judah. The Kenites were a race living in friendship with and under the protection of Judah.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
who
אָכִ֔ישׁ (’ā·ḵîš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 397: Achish -- king of Gath

would ask him,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“What have you raided today?”
פְּשַׁטְתֶּ֖ם (pə·šaṭ·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid

And David
דָּוִ֗ד (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

would reply,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The Negev
נֶ֤גֶב (ne·ḡeḇ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

of Judah,”
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

or
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

“The Negev
נֶ֣גֶב (ne·ḡeḇ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

of Jerahmeel,”
הַיַּרְחְמְאֵלִ֔י (hay·yar·ḥə·mə·’ê·lî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3397: Jerahmeelites -- descendant of Jerahmeel

or
וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“The Negev
נֶ֖גֶב (ne·ḡeḇ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

of the Kenites.”
הַקֵּינִֽי׃ (haq·qê·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7017: Kenite -- members of the tribe of Kenites


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OT History: 1 Samuel 27:10 Achish said Against whom have you made (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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