1 Samuel 21:10

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} arose {H6965}, and fled {H1272} that day {H3117} for fear {H6440} of Saul {H7586}, and went {H935} to Achish {H397} the king {H4428} of Gath {H1661}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The same day, David took flight from Sha'ul and went to Akhish king of

Berean Standard Bible

That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 21:10 vividly portrays a pivotal moment in David's life as a hunted fugitive, detailing his desperate flight from King Saul. Driven by profound fear for his life, the anointed future king makes the astonishing and counter-intuitive decision to seek refuge in Gath, a major Philistine city and the very home of Goliath, underscoring the extreme pressure and perilous circumstances he faced. This act marks a new, more dangerous phase in his exile, forcing him into the territory of his sworn enemies.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows David's perilous stop at Nob, where he feigned a mission from Saul to obtain the sacred showbread and Goliath's sword from Ahimelech the priest, as recounted in [1 Samuel 21:1-9](/1_samuel/21-1-9 "1 Samuel 21:1-9 - David at Nob"). This desperate act, born of necessity, would later have tragic repercussions for the priests of Nob, orchestrated by Doeg the Edomite at Saul's command, a devastating event described in [1 Samuel 22:9-19](/1_samuel/22-9-19 "1 Samuel 22:9-19 - Saul's Slaughter of the Priests of Nob"). David's flight to Gath is a direct continuation of his efforts to evade Saul's relentless pursuit, which began after Saul's escalating jealousy following David's military successes and the women's songs of praise, as detailed in [1 Samuel 18:6-9](/1_samuel/18-6-9 "1 Samuel 18:6-9 - Saul's Jealousy of David"). His life is now characterized by constant movement, a profound lack of security, and a stark contrast to his earlier position as a celebrated warrior and royal musician.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this period, Israel was a nascent monarchy, continuously contending with its powerful Philistine neighbors. Gath was one of the five major Philistine city-states, a formidable stronghold and a significant center of military power. For David, the celebrated slayer of Goliath of Gath, as recorded in [1 Samuel 17:4](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath's Origin"), to seek asylum there was an act of extreme desperation, bordering on suicidal audacity. Culturally, seeking asylum with an enemy king was a dangerous gamble, relying on the slim hope that the enemy of one's enemy might be considered a friend, or at least a temporary protector. However, it also placed David in a position of immense vulnerability, entirely at the mercy of a foreign monarch. This period also vividly reflects the volatile nature of Saul's reign, marked by increasing paranoia and irrational behavior, which drove even his most loyal servants to such desperate measures.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully conveys themes of **fear and desperation**, as David's flight is explicitly "for fear of Saul." Despite his anointing by Samuel in [1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - Samuel Anoints David") and his past victories, David experiences profound human terror, leading him to make a choice driven by survival instinct rather than strategic advantage. This highlights that even great figures of faith are not immune to intense emotional distress. Another key theme is **seeking refuge in unlikely places**, as David's decision to go to Gath is profoundly counter-intuitive and reveals the dire extent of his flight from Saul, forcing him into the territory of his historical enemies. This act sets the stage for David's subsequent feigned madness in Gath, described in [1 Samuel 21:13](/1_samuel/21-13 "1 Samuel 21:13 - David Feigns Madness in Gath"), a desperate ploy to escape detection and harm. Ultimately, even amidst David's flawed and fear-driven choices, the overarching theme of **God's providence amidst human weakness** is evident, as this period of exile and hardship serves to refine David and prepare him for his future kingship, demonstrating God's continued protection and guidance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **David (Hebrew, _Dâvid'_):** David, the youngest son of Jesse, is the central figure. His name, derived from a root meaning "loving," ironically contrasts with his current state of being unloved and hunted by King Saul. The mention of his name here underscores the tragic reversal of fortune for the one chosen by God to be Israel's next king, now reduced to a fugitive.
* **fled (Hebrew, _bârach'_):** This primitive root signifies "to bolt" or "to flee suddenly and urgently." It conveys a sense of immediate, rapid, and often desperate movement away from danger. The use of _bârach_ here emphasizes the speed and necessity of David's departure, driven by the immediacy and overwhelming nature of Saul's threat, rather than a planned strategic retreat.
* **fear (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** While _pânîym_ literally means "face," in this context, when combined with the preposition "for," it functions idiomatically to mean "for fear of" or "from the presence of." It indicates that David's flight was a direct consequence of his terror of Saul's presence and murderous intent. This highlights the profound psychological impact of Saul's relentless pursuit on David, reducing him to a state of raw apprehension.
* **Gath (Hebrew, _Gath'_):** Gath was one of the five principal Philistine cities, a formidable stronghold and a symbol of Israel's long-standing enemy. The very name evokes the memory of Goliath, the champion David famously defeated. David's choice of Gath as a refuge underscores the extreme and ironic desperation of his situation, as he seeks safety in the heart of enemy territory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David arose, and fled that day":** This phrase emphasizes the immediacy and decisiveness of David's action. Having just left Nob, the threat from Saul was ever-present and growing, demanding an urgent response. "That day" suggests a non-negotiable departure, leaving no time for deliberation or alternative plans. It portrays David as a man on the run, constantly reacting to imminent danger. The verb "arose" (qûwm) indicates a decisive, immediate action, a sudden departure.
* **"for fear of Saul,":** This clause explicitly states the motivation behind David's flight. It is not a strategic withdrawal or a planned relocation, but a direct consequence of his profound terror of King Saul. Saul's irrational jealousy and murderous intent had become so overwhelming that David's primary concern was immediate survival, leading him to make an otherwise unthinkable choice. This human fear is a stark reality for the anointed king.
* **"and went to Achish the king of Gath.":** This is the most striking and ironic detail of the verse. Gath was a major Philistine city, and the Philistines were Israel's sworn enemies. Furthermore, David himself had famously killed Goliath, a champion from Gath, as recorded in [1 Samuel 17:4](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath's Origin"). His decision to seek asylum with Achish, the Philistine king, underscores the extreme desperation of his situation. It was a gamble born of terror, a last resort for a man with nowhere else to turn within Israel's borders, highlighting the depth of his predicament.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey David's desperate plight. **Irony** is profoundly prominent, as David, the celebrated slayer of Goliath and Israel's champion against the Philistines, is now forced to seek refuge in the very heart of enemy territory, specifically in Gath, Goliath's hometown. This dramatic reversal of fortune highlights the depth of his desperation and the tragic absurdity of his circumstances. **Pathos** is also powerfully evoked, as the explicit mention of David fleeing "for fear of Saul" elicits deep sympathy for the anointed king-in-waiting, revealing his profound vulnerability and the human cost of Saul's escalating madness. Furthermore, the narrative choice to have David go to Gath serves as significant **foreshadowing**, setting the stage for his subsequent feigned madness in [1 Samuel 21:13](/1_samuel/21-13 "1 Samuel 21:13 - David Feigns Madness in Gath") and his later, more strategic, albeit still precarious, interactions with the Philistines during his extended exile, as chronicled in [1 Samuel 27:1-12](/1_samuel/27-1-12 "1 Samuel 27:1-12 - David Flees to Gath Again").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 21:10 offers a stark portrayal of human vulnerability and the intensity of fear, even for those chosen by God. David, despite his anointing and past triumphs, is not exempt from the crushing weight of terror. This episode reminds us that faith does not negate human emotion or the reality of danger. However, it also subtly underscores God's sovereign hand, even in David's seemingly misguided and fear-driven decisions. This period of exile and hardship, though born of desperation, served as a crucible for David, refining his character, teaching him dependence on God, and preparing him for the immense responsibilities of kingship. It demonstrates that God can work through our weaknesses and even our moments of panic, guiding us through perilous paths to fulfill His purposes.

* [Psalm 34:4](/psalms/34-4 "Psalm 34:4 - I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.")
* [Psalm 56:3-4](/psalms/56-3-4 "Psalm 56:3-4 - What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's flight to Gath, driven by raw fear, offers a profoundly relatable image of a person at their breaking point. It reminds us that even the most courageous and divinely appointed individuals can experience overwhelming terror and make desperate, human choices. This narrative invites us to cultivate empathy for those in leadership, recognizing their shared humanity and susceptibility to fear. More importantly, it challenges us to consider our own responses when faced with overwhelming threats or seemingly insurmountable obstacles. While David's initial impulse was fear, his subsequent actions (feigning madness, composing psalms) demonstrate a continued, albeit imperfect, reliance on God's providence. We are called to remember that God's presence is unwavering, even in our moments of weakness or when our choices are less than ideal. Our ultimate refuge is not in strategic maneuvering or unlikely alliances, but in the steadfast love and power of God, who can work through any circumstance, refining our character and guiding us toward His ultimate purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's experience of fear challenge your perception of strong faith or spiritual leadership?**
* **When have you made decisions primarily out of fear, and how did God's providence manifest in those circumstances?**
* **What does David's flight to Gath teach us about seeking refuge in unexpected or seemingly dangerous places, and how does this relate to trusting God's unconventional paths?**

### FAQ
**Was David's decision to flee to Gath a sign of a lack of faith?**

Answer: While David's flight was explicitly "for fear of Saul," indicating a very human response of terror, it's more complex than a simple lack of faith. It represents a moment of extreme desperation where survival instincts took over. However, even in this seemingly unspiritual act, God's providence was at work. This period of exile and hardship, including his time in Gath, served to humble David, teach him reliance on God in dire circumstances, and prepare him for his future kingship. It's a testament to God's ability to work through imperfect human choices and even moments of weakness. David's subsequent actions, such as composing psalms that reflect on God's deliverance during this time (e.g., [Psalm 34](/psalms/34 "Psalm 34 - Deliverance from Fear") and [Psalm 56](/psalms/56 "Psalm 56 - A Michtam of David when the Philistines took him in Gath")), demonstrate that his underlying trust in God remained, even amidst his fear.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's desperate flight to Gath, an enemy city, for fear of Saul, foreshadows a deeper theological truth about refuge and the nature of kingship. David, the anointed king, is rejected by his own people's reigning monarch and forced into exile, seeking safety in the most unlikely and dangerous of places. This mirrors, in a profound way, the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. While David fled in fear, Jesus, the true Son of David, willingly entered a world hostile to Him, not out of fear, but out of perfect love and obedience to the Father's will, as described in [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation"). He became a "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief," as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant"), often having "nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")). Unlike David, who experienced fear and made imperfect choices, Jesus faced the ultimate terror of Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")) with perfect trust and obedience, submitting to the Father's will even unto death on the cross. He is the ultimate refuge, the one who took on our fears and weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")) so that we might find true peace and safety in Him, the King who conquers not by fleeing, but by perfectly fulfilling God's redemptive plan ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 26:21

And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;

1 Samuel 27:1

¶ And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: [there is] nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

1 Samuel 27:2

And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that [were] with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

Psalms 34:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.

Psalms 34:22

The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

1 Kings 19:3

And when he saw [that], he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which [belongeth] to Judah, and left his servant there.