1 Samuel 27:11
New International Version
He did not leave a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath, for he thought, “They might inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’” And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory.

New Living Translation
No one was left alive to come to Gath and tell where he had really been. This happened again and again while he was living among the Philistines.

English Standard Version
And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking, “lest they should tell about us and say, ‘So David has done.’” Such was his custom all the while he lived in the country of the Philistines.

Berean Standard Bible
David 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.

King James Bible
And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.

New King James Version
David would save neither man nor woman alive, to bring news to Gath, saying, “Lest they should inform on us, saying, ‘Thus David did.’ ” And thus was his behavior all the time he dwelt in the country of the Philistines.

New American Standard Bible
And David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring to Gath, saying, “Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, ‘This is what David has done, and this has been his practice all the time that he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’”

NASB 1995
David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring to Gath, saying, “Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, ‘So has David done and so has been his practice all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’”

NASB 1977
And David did not leave a man or a woman alive, to bring to Gath, saying, “Lest they should tell about us, saying, ‘So has David done and so has been his practice all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
And David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring to Gath, saying, “Lest they tell about us, saying, ‘So has David done and so has been his custom all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’”

Amplified Bible
David did not leave a man or a woman alive to bring news to Gath, saying [to himself], “Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, ‘This is what David has done, and this has been his practice all the time that he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’”

Christian Standard Bible
David did not let a man or woman live to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Or they will inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’ ” This was David’s custom during the whole time he stayed in the Philistine territory.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David did not let a man or woman live to be brought to Gath, for he said, “Or they will inform on us and say, ‘This is what David did.’” This was David’s custom during the whole time he stayed in the Philistine territory.

American Standard Version
And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell of us, saying, So did David, and so hath been his manner all the while he hath dwelt in the country of the Philistines.

Contemporary English Version
That's why David killed everyone in the towns he attacked. He thought, "If I let any of them live, they might come to Gath and tell what I've really been doing." David made these raids all the time he was in Philistia.

English Revised Version
And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying: So did David, and so hath been his manner all the while he hath dwelt in the country of the Philistines.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He did not bring a single man or woman back to Gath alive. He thought, "They could tell Achish what I [really] did." This was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory.

Good News Translation
David would kill everyone, men and women, so that no one could go back to Gath and report what he and his men had really done. This is what David did the whole time he lived in Philistia.

International Standard Version
David did not leave a man or woman alive to bring to Gath. He told himself, "Otherwise, they'll say, 'This is what David is doing, and this has been his practice all the time he has lived in Philistine territory.'"

Majority Standard Bible
David 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.

NET Bible
Neither man nor woman would David leave alive so as to bring them back to Gath. He was thinking, "This way they can't tell on us, saying, 'This is what David did.'" Such was his practice the entire time that he lived in the country of the Philistines.

New Heart English Bible
And neither man nor woman would he leave alive to be brought to Gath, thinking, "Otherwise they will tell about us, saying, ?This is what David did,? and this has been his practice all the time he lived in the country of the Philistines."

Webster's Bible Translation
And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should inform against us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.

World English Bible
David saved neither man nor woman alive to bring them to Gath, saying, “Lest they should tell about us, saying, ‘David did this, and this has been his way all the time he has lived in the country of the Philistines.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
David keeps alive neither man nor woman, to bring in [word] to Gath, saying, “Lest they declare [it] against us, saying, Thus David has done, and thus [is] his custom all the days that he has dwelt in the fields of the Philistines.”

Young's Literal Translation
Neither man nor woman doth David keep alive, to bring in word to Gath, saying, 'Lest they declare it against us, saying, Thus hath David done, and thus is his custom all the days that he hath dwelt in the fields of the Philistines.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will not preserve alive a man and woman to bring to Gath, saying, Lest they shall announce against us, saying, Thus did David, and thus his judgment all the days which he dwelt in the field of the rovers.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And David saved neither man nor woman, neither brought he any of them to Geth, saying: Lest they should speak against us. So did David, and such was his proceeding all the days that he dwelt in the country of the Philistines.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Neither man nor woman was left alive by David. Neither did he lead back any of them to Gath, saying, “Lest perhaps they may speak against us.” David did these things. And this was his decision during all the days that he lived in the region of the Philistines.

New American Bible
David never left a man or woman alive to be brought to Gath. He thought, “They will betray us and say, ‘This is what David did.’ ” This was his custom as long as he lived in Philistine territory.

New Revised Standard Version
David left neither man nor woman alive to be brought back to Gath, thinking, “They might tell about us, and say, ‘David has done so and so.’” Such was his practice all the time he lived in the country of the Philistines.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David spared neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, Thus David has done, and such was his custom all the while he dwelt in the land of the Philistines.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David did not save a man or a woman, so that he would come to Gath saying, “They will not talk about us”, and they would say: “Thus David did”, and this was his custom all the days when David dwelt in the land of the Philistines"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David left neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying: 'Lest they should tell on us, saying: So did David, and so hath been his manner all the while he hath dwelt in the country of the Philistines.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I have not saved man or woman alive to bring them to Geth, saying, Lest they carry a report to Geth against us, saying, These things David does. And this was his manner all the days that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David and the Philistines
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. 12So Achish trusted David, thinking, “Since he has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel, he will be my servant forever.”…

Cross References
Joshua 11:14
The Israelites took for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but they put all the people to the sword until they had completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone who breathed.

2 Samuel 8:2
David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

2 Samuel 8:12
from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

2 Samuel 12:31
David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes, and he made them work at the brick kilns. He did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 18:2
David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute.

1 Chronicles 18:11
and King David dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had carried off from all these nations—from Edom and Moab, and from the Ammonites, Philistines, and Amalekites.

1 Chronicles 20:3
David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. And he did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

2 Kings 10:11
So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his great men and close friends and priests, leaving him without a single survivor.

2 Kings 10:14
Then Jehu ordered, “Take them alive.” So his men took them alive, then slaughtered them at the well of Beth-eked—forty-two men. He spared none of them.

2 Kings 11:1
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs.

2 Kings 15:16
At that time Menahem, starting from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah and everyone in its vicinity, because they would not open their gates. So he attacked Tiphsah and ripped open all the pregnant women.

2 Kings 17:25
Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

2 Kings 19:11
Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared?

2 Kings 25:7
And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.

Matthew 2:16
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.


Treasury of Scripture

And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwells in the country of the Philistines.

Lest

1 Samuel 22:22
And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.

Proverbs 12:19
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

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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.














David did not leave a man or woman alive
This phrase highlights David's strategic and, perhaps, ruthless approach to ensuring his safety and the safety of his men. The Hebrew root for "leave" (שָׁאַר, sha'ar) implies a deliberate action of leaving behind or sparing. In the context of ancient warfare, it was not uncommon for leaders to eliminate potential threats to prevent intelligence from reaching enemy ears. David's actions, while harsh, reflect the brutal realities of survival in the ancient Near East, where alliances were fragile, and betrayal was a constant threat.

to be brought to Gath
Gath was one of the five major Philistine cities and a place where David sought refuge from King Saul. The historical context here is significant; Gath was a stronghold of the Philistines, and David's presence there was precarious. By ensuring no survivors could report back to Gath, David was protecting his position and maintaining the trust of Achish, the Philistine king. This reflects the delicate balance David had to maintain while living among his former enemies.

for he said, 'Otherwise they will report us, saying, This is what David did.'
David's reasoning reveals his awareness of the potential consequences of his actions being discovered. The Hebrew word for "report" (נָגַד, nagad) means to declare or make known. David understood that any survivors could expose his true activities, jeopardizing his safety and his strategic position. This highlights David's wisdom and foresight, qualities that were crucial for his survival and eventual rise to kingship.

And this was David’s custom
The word "custom" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) in Hebrew often refers to a judgment or ordinance, suggesting that David's actions were not haphazard but rather a calculated and consistent strategy. This consistency in his actions underscores David's commitment to his plan and his understanding of the risks involved in his situation. It also reflects the harsh realities of leadership and survival in a hostile environment.

the whole time he lived in Philistine territory
David's time in Philistine territory was a period of exile and strategic maneuvering. The phrase "the whole time" emphasizes the duration and consistency of his actions. Living among the Philistines, David had to navigate a complex political landscape, balancing his identity as an Israelite with his need for refuge. This period was formative for David, shaping his leadership skills and preparing him for his future role as king of Israel.

(11) And David saved neither man nor woman.--This and the following (12th) verse gives the reason for these atrocious acts of murder. The wild and irresponsible Arab chief alone seemed represented in David in this dark portion of his career. This saddest of all the chapters in David's life follows close upon the death of Samuel. It appears that the holy man of God had exercised, all the time that he had lived, a great and beneficent influence over the son of Jesse; and when he passed away, other and less wise counsellors prevailed with David. Want of trust in God and a craven fear for his own life (see his words, 1Samuel 26:20; 1Samuel 26:24) drove him to leave the land of Israel, and to seek a refuge among his Philistine foes. One sin led on to another, when, in Philistia--to preserve that life of his--he commenced a course of duplicity, to carry out which he was driven to commit these terrible cruelties. "The prisoners taken would naturally have been part of the spoil; but David dared not bring them to Gath, lest his deceit should be discovered. Obviously these tribes (Geshurites, Gezerites, and Amalekites) were allies of the Philistines."

Saying, So did David, and so will be his manner.--The English Version of this passage is in accordance with the present punctuation in the Hebrew Bible, and represents these words as the saying of the slaughtered enemies. This is of itself most improbable. The Hebrew, too, will scarcely bear this interpretation; for the verb "to dwell" is a past, and cannot correctly be rendered "while he dwelleth." The Masoretic punctuation of the present Hebrew text is of comparatively recent date. It is better, then, in their place, with Maurer and Keil, the LXX., and Vulg. Versions, simply to put a stop after the words "so did David," and then begin a new sentence, which will read, "And so was his manner all the while he dwelt in the land of the Philistines;" understanding these words as a remark of the narrator of the history.

Verses 11, 12. - To bring tidings. The A.V. is wrong in adding the word tidings, as the Hebrew means "to bring them to Gath." Prisoners to be sold as slaves formed an important part of the spoil of war in ancient times. But David, acting in accordance with the cruel customs of warfare in his days, and which he practised even when he had no urgent necessity as here (see 2 Samuel 8:2), put all his prisoners to death, lest, if taken to Gath and sold, they should betray him. The A.V. makes his conduct even more sanguinary, and supposes that he suffered none to escape. And so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth. The Hebrew is "he dwelt," and thus the rendering of the A.V., though supported by the Masoretic punctuation, is untenable. But this punctuation is of comparatively recent date, and of moderate authority. The words really belong to the narrator, and should be translated, "And so was his manner all the days that he dwelt in the field of the Philistines." It seems that Achish was completely deceived by David, and supposing that his conduct would make him hateful forever to his own tribesmen of Judah, and so preclude his return home, he rejoiced in him as one who would always remain his faithful vassal and adherent.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
David
דָוִ֗ד (ḏā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

did not {leave}
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

a man
וְאִ֨ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

or woman
וְאִשָּׁ֜ה (wə·’iš·šāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

alive
יְחַיֶּ֣ה (yə·ḥay·yeh)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

to be brought
לְהָבִ֥יא (lə·hā·ḇî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to Gath,
גַת֙ (ḡaṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1661: Gath -- 'wine press', a Philistine city

for he said,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Otherwise
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

they will report
יַגִּ֥דוּ (yag·gi·ḏū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

us,
עָלֵ֖ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

saying,
לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘This is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

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

did.’”
עָשָׂ֤ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

And this
וְכֹ֣ה (wə·ḵōh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

was David’s custom
מִשְׁפָּט֔וֹ (miš·pā·ṭōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

the whole
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

time
הַ֨יָּמִ֔ים (hay·yā·mîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

he lived
יָשַׁ֖ב (yā·šaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in Philistine
פְלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ (p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

territory.
בִּשְׂדֵ֥ה (biś·ḏêh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7704: Field, land


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OT History: 1 Samuel 27:11 David saved neither man nor woman alive (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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