David Flees to Gath

10 David fled that day from Saul’s presence and went to King Achish of Gath.(A) 11 But Achish’s servants said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Don’t they sing about him during their dances:

Saul has killed his thousands,
but David his tens of thousands?”(B)

12 David took this to heart[a] and became very afraid of King Achish of Gath, 13 so he pretended to be insane in their presence.(C) He acted like a madman around them,[b] scribbling[c] on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.

14 “Look! You can see the man is crazy,” Achish said to his servants. “Why did you bring him to me? 15 Do I have such a shortage of crazy people that you brought this one to act crazy around me? Is this one going to come into my house?”(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 21:12 Lit David placed these words in his heart
  2. 1 Samuel 21:13 Lit madman in their hand
  3. 1 Samuel 21:13 LXX reads drumming

David Flees to Gath

10 David got up that day and fled from Saul, and he went to King Achish of Gath. 11 The officials[a] of Achish told him, “Isn’t this David, king of the land? Isn’t this the one about whom they sang as they danced,

‘Saul has struck down his thousands,
    but David his ten thousands’?”

12 David took these words seriously,[b] and he was very frightened of King Achish of Gath. 13 So David changed his behavior before them and acted like he was crazy in their presence. He scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down his beard. 14 Achish told his officials,[c] “Look, you see a person acting like a madman. Why’d you bring him to me? 15 Am I lacking madmen that you bring me this one to act like a madman around me? Shall this one come into my house?”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 21:11 Or servants
  2. 1 Samuel 21:12 Lit. paid attention to these words
  3. 1 Samuel 21:14 Or servants