And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months.
The time David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. That same stay is also reckoned as lasting a year and six months. It belongs to the period when David lived under Philistine protection as a refuge from Saul's pursuit. During it Achish granted David Ziklag as a separate residence, which was later annexed to Israel.
David sought to leave Gath for Ziklag both because he feared envy at court and because separation from a people bound to idolatry would let him and his men worship God more freely. There he acted prudently and humbly and lived at peace even with his enemies. During this period his trust in God failed, and after receiving the Philistines' favor he resorted to deception. He remained among the Philistines until Saul died.
The time David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months. That same stay is also reckoned as lasting a year and six months. It belongs to the period when David lived under Philistine protection as a refuge from Saul's pursuit. During it Achish granted David Ziklag as a separate residence, which was later annexed to Israel.
David sought to leave Gath for Ziklag both because he feared envy at court and because separation from a people bound to idolatry would let him and his men worship God more freely. There he acted prudently and humbly and lived at peace even with his enemies. During this period his trust in God failed, and after receiving the Philistines' favor he resorted to deception. He remained among the Philistines until Saul died.