1 Samuel 21:11

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?

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}?

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'?"

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’?”

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

Context

This verse finds David in a desperate situation, fleeing from King Saul, who is relentlessly pursuing him due to intense jealousy. Having just visited Nob and received provisions from the priest Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1-6), David seeks refuge in Gath, a major Philistine city, under the rule of King Achish. Gath was a prominent enemy city, famously home to Goliath. David's decision to seek asylum there highlights his dire straits and fear of Saul. However, his past triumphs against the Philistines, particularly his slaying of Goliath, made him a well-known figure, even among his enemies. The servants of Achish immediately recognize him, bringing to light the very fame that had both elevated and endangered him.

Key Themes

  • The Double-Edged Sword of Fame: David's heroic deeds, celebrated in song, become a dangerous liability. What brought him honor among his people now puts him in grave peril in enemy territory. The song's popularity is so widespread that even Philistine servants know it, indicating David's legendary status.
  • Saul's Jealousy and Its Consequences: The verse directly references the song that first ignited Saul's intense jealousy against David (1 Samuel 18:7). This jealousy escalated into a relentless pursuit, driving David to extreme measures, including seeking refuge among the Philistines.
  • Peril and Desperation: David's presence in Gath, and the servants' immediate recognition and accusation ("Is not this David the king of the land?"), underscore the immense danger he faces. His life is clearly threatened by his identity and past actions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "ten thousands" (Hebrew: רבבה, revavah) is significant. While "thousands" (אלפים, alafim) implies a large number, "ten thousands" emphasizes an overwhelming superiority in military success. It's a hyperbole that powerfully conveys David's unparalleled victories compared to Saul's, highlighting why the women's song (1 Samuel 18:7) was so impactful and infuriating to Saul.

Reflection and Application

This passage reminds us that reputation, while valuable, can also bring unforeseen challenges. David's fame, a testament to God's hand in his victories, paradoxically put his life in jeopardy here. It highlights the human tendency to focus on worldly recognition, which can sometimes lead to pride or, as in David's case, become a source of danger when not aligned with God's perfect plan. For David, this moment of extreme peril led to a crucial test of faith, as he would later feign madness to escape (1 Samuel 21:12-15). This experience is often associated with the writing of Psalm 34 and Psalm 56, reflecting his trust in God even in the face of overwhelming fear and human schemes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 29:5 (6 votes)

    [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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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?