1 Samuel 27 · Grade 4
A Season of Compromise
Read and Think
Chapter 27 begins with David speaking to himself, not to God. He said in his heart, I will now perish one day by the hand of Saul. Unlike earlier chapters, there is no mention of David inquiring of Yahweh. Fear drove him into the land of Israel's enemies.
The plan worked on the surface. Saul stopped hunting him, and Achish gave him Ziklag. David's men and their families had a home. Yet David lived a double life. He raided the Geshurites, Girzites, and Amalekites, ancient enemies of Israel.
When Achish asked about the raids, David said he had attacked the South of Judah. To keep his secret, David saved neither man nor woman alive to bring to Gath, so that no one could tell Achish what he had done. Achish believed David and thought David's own people would hate him. The chapter shows how fear can lead even a faithful person into deception.
Show What You Know
Who did David speak to at the start of the chapter?
What is missing compared to earlier chapters?
What kind of life did David live?
What does the chapter show about fear?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- Chapter 27 begins with speaking to himself, not to God.
- Saul stopped hunting him, and Achish gave him .
- When asked about the raids, David said he had attacked the South of Judah.
- To keep his secret, David saved neither man nor woman alive to bring to , so that no one could tell Achish what he had done.
Think About It
What happens when we make plans out of fear instead of asking God?
Why does the Bible tell us about David's deception?
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)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being with me wherever I go. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can a friend help you when you feel like giving up?
- How can fear lead us to make poor choices?
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.