David Flees to Gath

10 Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And (A)the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying:

(B)‘Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands’?”

12 Now David (C)took these words [a]to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So (D)he changed his behavior before them, pretended [b]madness in their hands, [c]scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? 15 Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 21:12 Lit. in his heart
  2. 1 Samuel 21:13 insanity
  3. 1 Samuel 21:13 scribbled

10 And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.

11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, ‘Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?”

12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.

13 And 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 upon his beard.

14 Then said Achish unto his servants, “Lo, ye see the man is mad. Why then have ye brought him to me?

15 Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

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