1. 1 Samuel 27:6 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why would Achish give David the town of Ziklag to live in?

1 Samuel 27:6 (ESV)

6 So that day Achish gave him Ziklag. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day.

From Achish’s perspective, Ziklag was likely a town of little importance. Situated on the southern border, it was subject to raids from marauders.1 David and his men would thus serve as an initial line of defence. They, rather Philistine citizens, would also suffer any losses that were brought by the marauders. Additionally, having David live somewhere else, there was no burden on Achish to care and provide for David’s men.2