1 Samuel 21:12

12 David paid close attention to what the servants were saying. He became very much afraid of what Achish, the king of Gath, might do.

1 Samuel 21:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 21:12

And David laid up these words in his heart
Pondered upon them, and thought them over in his mind, finding that he was known, and his character also, and considered with himself what might be the consequence of this:

and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath;
lest he should be set against him, and be prevailed upon by his servants to take away his life, or deliver him up into the hands of Saul.

1 Samuel 21:12 In-Context

10 That day David ran away from Saul. He went to Achish, the king of Gath.

11 But the servants of Achish spoke to him. They said, "Isn't this David, the king of the land? Isn't he the one the Israelites sing about when they dance? They sing, " 'Saul has killed thousands of men. David has killed tens of thousands.' "

12 David paid close attention to what the servants were saying. He became very much afraid of what Achish, the king of Gath, might do.

13 So he pretended to be out of his mind when he was with them. As long as he was in Gath, he acted like someone who was crazy. He made marks on the doors of the city gate. He let spit run down his beard.

14 Achish said to his servants, "Just look at the man! He's out of his mind! Why are you bringing him to me?