1 Samuel 27 · Grade 3
A Year in Ziklag
Read the Story
David said in his heart that he would perish one day by the hand of Saul. He chose to escape to the land of the Philistines. He went with six hundred men and their households to Achish, king of Gath.
Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, so he stopped looking for him. David asked Achish for a place in a country town. Achish gave him Ziklag that day. David lived in the country of the Philistines a full year and four months.
David and his men raided the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. These were old enemies of Israel. But when Achish asked where he had raided, David named places in the South of Judah. He did not tell the truth. Achish believed David. He thought David would be his servant forever.
Memory Verse
“David said in his heart, “I will now perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel. So I will escape out of his hand.””
1 Samuel 27:1 (WEB)
Answer the Questions
What did David say in his heart?
Why did Saul stop looking for David?
How long did David live among the Philistines?
Which peoples did David raid?
What did Achish think about David?
David Among the Philistines
Write what happened in each box.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being with me wherever I go. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- Why is it wrong to trick people even if they are not our friends?
- What can you do when you feel tired of waiting on God?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.