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

1 SAMUEL 21:10KJV
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1 Samuel 21:10 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 21:10 mean?

1 Samuel 21:10 describes David seeking refuge beyond Saul’s reach. His fear of Saul drives him to Gath, a Philistine city ruled by Achish. David’s choice takes him from danger in Israel into the territory of Israel’s enemies.

After receiving Goliath’s sword in verse 9, David goes to the city Goliath came from. The narrator’s mention of Achish as king identifies the ruler David approaches and prepares the reader for the tense encounter that follows.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 21:10

  • “for fear of” — פָּנִים (panim): This word often means “face” or “presence.” The KJV’s phrase gives the sense that David fled because of the threat Saul posed.
  • “fled” — בָּרַח (barach): This word means to flee or escape. It presents David’s departure as an attempt to get away from danger, not simply a journey to another city.

Why 1 Samuel 21:10 matters

  • David’s arrival in Gath creates a striking reversal. Earlier, he had killed Goliath of Gath, the Philistine champion who challenged Israel (1 Samuel 17:4, 50).
  • Gath is not a place where David goes unnoticed. Achish’s servants recognize him and recall the song celebrating his victories (1 Samuel 21:11). That recognition helps explain David’s fear and his behavior before Achish in the verses that follow.

Where else these words appear

“Achish” Hebrew H397 · used in 20 verses

  • 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?
  • 1 Samuel 27:6 Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: wherefore Ziklag pertaineth unto the kings of Judah unto this day.
  • 1 Samuel 29:2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.

“Gath” Hebrew H1661 · used in 31 verses

  • Joshua 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
  • 1 Samuel 27:4 And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

“fled” Hebrew H1272 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 16:6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
  • 1 Samuel 23:6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
  • Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.