1 Samuel 21:10

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 21:10 marks a pivotal moment in David’s early life as a fugitive, highlighting his desperate circumstances as he flees from King Saul.

Context

Following Samuel’s anointing of David and David’s famous victory over Goliath, the young shepherd-turned-warrior had gained immense popularity. However, this success sparked King Saul’s growing jealousy, leading to repeated attempts on David’s life. By this point, David has been forced to abandon his home and family, living on the run. His immediate prior stop was at Nob, where he received the showbread and Goliath’s sword from Ahimelech the priest (1 Samuel 21:1-9), an act that would later have tragic repercussions for the priests of Nob.

In his desperation, David makes the astonishing and seemingly illogical decision to flee to Gath, a major city of the Philistines. This was highly risky given that David was the very person who had killed Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath. His choice underscores the extreme fear and pressure he was under from Saul.

Key Themes

  • Fear and Desperation: The phrase "fled that day for fear of Saul" directly conveys David's intense emotional state. Despite his faith and past victories, David experiences profound terror, leading him to make a choice driven by survival instinct rather than strategic advantage. This demonstrates that even great figures of faith are not immune to human fear.
  • Seeking Refuge in Unlikely Places: David's decision to seek asylum with Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, is counter-intuitive. It 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 actions in Gath, where he feigns madness to escape detection and harm.
  • God's Providence Amidst Human Flaws: While David's fear-driven decision might appear to be a lapse in faith, it is part of a larger narrative where God continues to protect and guide David, even through his imperfect choices. This period of exile and hardship serves to refine David and prepare him for his future kingship.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "fear" here is yare' (יָרֵא), which can denote both reverence and dread. In this context, it clearly signifies a deep, paralyzing terror or apprehension. David's flight was not just a strategic retreat but an immediate response to genuine fear for his life.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even when we are walking by faith, fear can be a powerful human emotion that influences our decisions. David's experience teaches us several lessons:

  • Empathy for Leaders: Even those chosen by God, like David, can experience moments of intense fear and make desperate choices.
  • God's Unwavering Presence: Even in our moments of weakness or when we make choices out of fear, God remains sovereign and can work through our circumstances. David's time in Philistine territory, though dangerous, ultimately led to his deliverance and further shaped his character, as reflected in Psalm 34, often associated with this period.
  • Trust Amidst Adversity: When faced with overwhelming threats, we are called to lean on God's protection, even if the path ahead seems uncertain or requires unconventional steps.
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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 26:21 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ [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 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Kings 19:3 (2 votes)

    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.