1 Samuel 21:11

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the servants {H5650} of Achish {H397} said {H559} unto him, Is not this David {H1732} the king {H4428} of the land {H776}? did they not sing {H6030} one to another of him {H2088} in dances {H4246}, saying {H559}, Saul {H7586} hath slain {H5221} his thousands {H505}, and David {H1732} his ten thousands {H7233}?

Complete Jewish Bible

The servants of Akhish said to him, "Isn't this David, king of the land? Weren't they dancing and singing to each other, 'Sha'ul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands'?"

Berean Standard Bible

But the servants of Achish said to him, “Is this not David, the king of the land? Did they not sing about him in their dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”

American Standard Version

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 21:11 captures a pivotal moment in David's desperate flight from King Saul, as the servants of King Achish in Gath recognize him through a popular song celebrating his military prowess over Saul. This recognition immediately highlights David's extreme peril, as his widespread fame, which once brought him honor in Israel, now becomes a dangerous liability in the heart of enemy Philistine territory, underscoring his precarious and vulnerable position.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical phase of David's life, immediately following his flight from King Saul's increasingly irrational and murderous jealousy. Having narrowly escaped Saul's attempts on his life ([1 Samuel 19:9-10](/1_samuel/19-9 "1 Samuel 19:9-10 - Saul's Attempts on David's Life")) and receiving aid from Jonathan ([1 Samuel 20:1-42](/1_samuel/20 "1 Samuel 20 - David and Jonathan's Covenant")), David is forced to flee into the wilderness. His journey leads him first to Nob, where he deceptively obtains consecrated bread and Goliath's sword from Ahimelech the priest ([1 Samuel 21:1-9](/1_samuel/21-1 "1 Samuel 21:1-9 - David at Nob")), and then, in an act of extreme desperation, to Gath, a major Philistine city. The recognition by Achish's servants in this verse sets the stage for David's feigned madness ([1 Samuel 21:12-15](/1_samuel/21-12 "1 Samuel 21:12-15 - David Feigns Madness")), a desperate ruse to escape the immediate threat to his life, demonstrating his profound fear and reliance on cunning in the absence of obvious divine intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Gath was one of the five principal Philistine cities, deeply antagonistic to Israel, and notably the hometown of Goliath, whom David famously slew ([1 Samuel 17:4](/1_samuel/17-4 "1 Samuel 17:4 - Goliath of Gath")). For David, the anointed future king of Israel, to seek refuge in such a place underscores the severity of his plight and the extent of Saul's persecution. Culturally, the practice of celebrating military victories through song and dance was common in ancient Near Eastern societies. The specific song referenced, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands," originated after David's victory over Goliath and subsequent military successes ([1 Samuel 18:6-7](/1_samuel/18-6 "1 Samuel 18:6-7 - The Women's Song")), quickly becoming a popular anthem. Its widespread recognition, even among the Philistines, attests to David's legendary status and the impact of Israel's military success, making his presence in Gath particularly dangerous.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates the **double-edged sword of fame**. David's heroic deeds, celebrated in song, brought him honor and popularity among his people, but also ignited Saul's intense and pathological **jealousy**, which escalated into a relentless pursuit ([1 Samuel 18:8-9](/1_samuel/18-8 "1 Samuel 18:8-9 - Saul's Jealousy Ignites")). This jealousy, now driving David to seek asylum in enemy territory, underscores the theme of **peril and desperation**. David's life is clearly threatened by his very identity and past actions. Yet, even in this dire situation, the narrative subtly hints at **divine providence**; David's escape from Gath, though achieved through human cunning, ultimately demonstrates God's continued protection over His anointed, foreshadowing the eventual fulfillment of His promises to David despite overwhelming odds.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **King (Hebrew, _melekh_):** The Philistine servants' question, "Is not this David the king of the land?" is highly significant. While David was not yet formally crowned king of Israel, his anointing by Samuel ([1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - David Anointed King")) and his subsequent military victories had already established him as a de facto leader and a popular figure with royal potential in the eyes of the people. The Philistines, astute observers of their enemy, likely recognized David's rising influence and the threat he posed to Saul's throne, viewing him as a potential rival king. This perception elevates David's danger from merely a famous warrior to a political threat in Gath.
* **Ten Thousands (Hebrew, רְבָבָה, _revavah_):** This term, contrasted with "thousands" (אֲלָפִים, _alafim_), is a powerful numerical hyperbole. While "thousands" signifies a large, impressive number, "ten thousands" implies an overwhelming, almost incomparable superiority in military success. The use of _revavah_ in the women's song ([1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - The Celebratory Song")) was meant to exalt David's victories far above Saul's, creating the very comparison that so infuriated Saul and ultimately led to David's flight. Its repetition by the Philistine servants emphasizes the universal recognition of David's extraordinary military prowess.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land?":** This opening clause immediately establishes the tension and danger of David's situation. The servants' question is not merely an inquiry but an accusation, revealing that David's identity is known, and his fame has preceded him even into enemy territory. Their reference to him as "the king of the land" indicates their understanding of his significant status and potential threat, either as a rival to Saul or as a powerful figure in Israel. This recognition underscores the failure of David's attempt to blend in or remain unnoticed in Gath.
* **"did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?":** This part of the verse explicitly recalls the celebratory song that marked David's rise to prominence and simultaneously ignited Saul's destructive jealousy. The mention of "dances" indicates the widespread, communal, and joyful nature of the song's original context. The Philistine servants' knowledge of this specific lyric confirms its pervasive popularity and the extent of David's renown. The comparison drawn between Saul's "thousands" and David's "ten thousands" is the core of the song's impact, highlighting David's superior military achievements and serving as the catalyst for Saul's murderous obsession.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **literary devices**. Foremost is **irony**, as David, fleeing the jealousy of his own king, seeks refuge in the city of his greatest Philistine enemy, only to be recognized and endangered by the very fame he gained from defeating that enemy. His past triumph, a source of national pride, becomes a present peril. The phrase "ten thousands" is a clear example of **hyperbole**, emphasizing David's overwhelming military success in a way that is intentionally exaggerated for dramatic effect, highlighting his unparalleled victories over Saul's. Furthermore, the scene functions as a form of **foreshadowing**, setting the stage for David's desperate act of feigning madness to escape, a moment that will further test his faith and ingenuity, ultimately demonstrating God's providential care in preserving His anointed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This episode profoundly illustrates the precariousness of human fame and the pervasive nature of sin's consequences, particularly jealousy. David's renown, a gift from God through his victories, paradoxically becomes a source of extreme danger due to Saul's unholy envy. Yet, even in this moment of profound desperation and human scheming (David's feigned madness), God's sovereign hand is evident. He allows David to be pushed to the brink, not to abandon him, but to refine his trust and demonstrate His faithfulness in impossible circumstances. This narrative teaches that God's protection of His anointed is not always through overt miracles but can also manifest through human ingenuity and the unexpected turns of providence, even when one is hiding in the heart of enemy territory. It highlights that God's purposes for His chosen ones will prevail, regardless of the opposition or the desperate measures they may have to take.

* [Psalm 34:1-22](/psalms/34 "Psalm 34 - A Psalm of Deliverance and Trust")
* [Psalm 56:1-13](/psalms/56 "Psalm 56 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
David's recognition in Gath serves as a powerful reminder that our past achievements, while often celebrated, can also create unforeseen challenges and dangers, particularly when we are out of alignment with God's immediate will or when we are operating in fear. David's desperate flight to Gath, an enemy city, was a move born of terror, not divine instruction. It highlights the human tendency to seek refuge in our own schemes or in places that seem logically safe, even if they are spiritually compromised. This passage challenges us to examine where we run when fear grips us. Do we, like David, resort to desperate measures and human cunning, or do we, in our desperation, turn directly to God, trusting Him to provide a way out that glorifies Him? David's subsequent feigned madness and eventual escape, often linked to the writing of [Psalm 34](/psalms/34 "Psalm 34 - Bless the Lord at All Times"), reveal that even in our flawed and fearful responses, God's grace and protection can still be at work, guiding us through perilous times and teaching us deeper reliance on Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do our past successes or public reputations sometimes create unexpected challenges or vulnerabilities in our present circumstances?**
* **In moments of extreme desperation and fear, where do we typically seek refuge, and how does this compare to David's choice to flee to Gath?**
* **What does David's subsequent feigned madness (1 Samuel 21:12-15) teach us about the interplay between human ingenuity and divine providence in desperate times?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper trust in God's protection, even when our circumstances seem to demand desperate, human-centric solutions?**

### FAQ

**Why did David flee to Gath, a Philistine city, given his history with them?**

Answer: David's decision to flee to Gath, the hometown of Goliath whom he had famously killed, was an act of extreme desperation born out of fear and the relentless pursuit by King Saul. He was literally running for his life. Saul's jealousy had escalated to the point where David felt unsafe anywhere within Israelite territory. Gath, being a major Philistine city, was outside of Saul's immediate jurisdiction and sphere of influence. David likely calculated that the Philistines, being enemies of Saul, might offer him asylum, or at least a temporary respite, due to the principle of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." It was a risky, almost counter-intuitive move that underscores the dire straits David found himself in, highlighting that he was willing to take extraordinary risks to escape Saul's murderous intent, even if it meant placing himself in the hands of his traditional adversaries.

**What was the significance of the song "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands"?**

Answer: This song, first mentioned in [1 Samuel 18:7](/1_samuel/18-7 "1 Samuel 18:7 - The Origin of the Song"), was a popular celebratory anthem sung by the women of Israel after David's victory over Goliath and subsequent military successes against the Philistines. Its significance is multi-faceted. Firstly, it publicly acknowledged David's extraordinary military prowess, elevating him above Saul in the eyes of the people by using the hyperbole of "ten thousands" versus "thousands." Secondly, and most critically, it ignited Saul's intense and pathological jealousy ([1 Samuel 18:8-9](/1_samuel/18-8 "1 Samuel 18:8-9 - Saul's Jealousy and Envy")). This song became the catalyst for Saul's deep-seated envy and his subsequent attempts to kill David, driving the narrative forward. Finally, its widespread popularity, so much so that even Philistine servants knew it, speaks to David's immense fame and the cultural impact of his victories, turning his renown into a dangerous liability in enemy territory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David, the anointed king of Israel, being driven from his land and forced to seek refuge among his enemies, all because of the jealousy of the reigning king, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate experience of Jesus Christ. David, though flawed, stands as a type of Christ—a divinely appointed king rejected and persecuted by his own people. Just as David's fame and identity as "the king of the land" brought him into peril, so too did the true identity of Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel provoke the hostility of the religious and political authorities ([John 19:7](/john/19-7 "John 19:7 - Jesus' Claim to be Son of God")). David's desperate flight and his reliance on God's providence, even through human cunning, point to Christ's journey of self-emptying ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation")) and His perfect trust in the Father's will, even unto death on a cross ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). Unlike David, who feigned madness to escape, Christ truly embraced weakness and suffering, disarming the spiritual principalities and powers through His apparent defeat ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Ultimately, David's story of being recognized and facing peril in enemy territory, yet being preserved, serves as a shadow of Christ's ultimate triumph over the true enemy, Satan, and His establishment as the true and eternal King, not just of a land, but of all creation ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

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

1 Samuel 29:5

[Is] not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

Psalms 56:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

Psalms 56:13

For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [wilt] not [thou deliver] my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

1 Samuel 16:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

1 Samuel 18:7

And the women answered [one another] as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

1 Samuel 18:8

And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed [but] thousands: and [what] can he have more but the kingdom?