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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:10 - 21:15
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David at Gath
v. 10. And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish, whose official title was Abimelech, Psalms 34, the king of Gath, in the Philistine country.
v. 11. And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land, for as such they designate him on account of his victorious campaigns, which entirely overshadowed those of Saul? Did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? Cf 1Sa_18:7.
v. 12. And David, who may have hoped to remain in the country of the Philistines unrecognized, laid up these words in his heart, he was worried about what they might lead to, and was sore afraid of Achish, the king of Gath, since the Philistines might, in a fit of revenge, fall on him and kill him.
v. 13. And he changed his behavior before them, he perverted his understanding, and feigned himself mad in their hands, he played the madman as they tried to get hold of him, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, pounded on them with his fists, and let his spittle, the foam at the mouth which he produced after the manner of madmen, fall down upon his beard.
v. 14. Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad, he has gone insane; wherefore, then, have ye brought him to me?
v. 15. Have I need of madmen that ye have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? The king evidently feared personal harm from David, who, as he thought, had gone insane. While David's plan to remain unrecognized among the Philistines did not succeed, the presence of mind which caused him to simulate an attack of insanity undoubtedly saved his life. Thus God is able to protect and to deliver His children in the midst of the enemies. Without His will not one hair of our heads falls to the ground.