1 Samuel 21:10-15

David Flees to Achish in Gath

10 So David got up and fled on that day from the presence of Saul, and he came to Achish the king of Gath.

11 The servants of Achish said to him, "[Is] not this David the king of the land? [Is] it not for this [one] that they sang in the dances, saying, 'Saul killed his thousands, but David his ten thousands?'"

12 {David took these words seriously} and {felt severely threatened by} Achish the king of Gath.

13 So he changed his behavior {before them} and pretended to be mad {in their presence}. He made scratches on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down into his beard.

14 Then Achish said to his servants, "Look, you see a madman! Why did you bring him to me?

15 Do I lack madmen that you have brought this one to act like a madman before me? Should this one enter my household?"

1 Samuel 21:10-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 21

This chapter relates that David went to Nob, and pretending he was on secret business for the king, got shewbread, and the sword of Goliath, from Ahimelech the priest, 1Sa 21:1-9; and that passing from thence to Gath, where he was known, through fear feigned himself mad, and so escaped from thence, 1Sa 21:10-15.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "David put these words in his heart"
• [b]. Literally "he was very afraid from the face of"
• [c]. Literally "in their eyes"
• [d]. Literally "in their hands"