1 Samuel 21:9-15

9 The priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if you will take that, take it; for there is no other except that here. David said, There is none like that; give it me.
10 David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
11 The servants of Achish said to him, "Isn't this David the king of the land? Didn't they sing one to another about him in dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands?'"
12 David laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
13 He changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down on his beard.
14 Then said Achish to his servants, Look, you see the man is mad; why then have you brought him to me?
15 Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

1 Samuel 21:9-15 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.

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