1. David thought, "Some day the powerful hand of Saul will destroy me. So the best thing I can do is escape. I'll go to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop looking for me everywhere in Israel. His hand won't be able to reach me."
2. So David and his 600 men left Israel. They went to Achish, the king of Gath. He was the son of Maoch.
3. David and his men settled down in Gath near Achish. Each of David's men had his family with him. David had his two wives with him. They were Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail from Carmel. Abigail was Nabal's widow.
4. Saul was told that David had run away to Gath. So he didn't look for David anymore.
5. David said to Achish, "If you are pleased with me, give me a place in one of your country towns. I can live there. I don't really need to live near you in the royal city."
6. So on that day Achish gave David the town of Ziklag. It has belonged to the kings of Judah ever since that time.