1 Samuel 21:10-22:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:10-15

David, though king elect, is here an exile?designed to be master of vast treasures, yet just now begging his bread?anointed to the crown, and yet here forced to flee from his country. Thus do God's providences sometimes seem to run counter to his promises, for the trial of his people's faith, and the glorifying of his name, in the accomplishment of his counsels, notwithstanding the difficulties that lay in the way. Here is, 1. David's flight into the land of the Philistines, where he hoped to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:10

And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul ,.... He had fled before for fear of him both from his own house, and from Naioth, 1 Samuel 19:18 ; but now he fled out of the land of Israel, for fear of him; or it may be the reason of his fear and flight on this day was because of Doeg the Edomite, lest he should go directly to Saul, and tell him where he was; and therefore through fear of him would not stay any longer, but the same day he came, he fled: and went to Achish the king... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 21:10

Went to Achish the king of Gath - This was the worst place to which he could have gone: it was the very city of Goliath, whom he had slain, and whose sword he now wore; and he soon found, from the conversation of the servants of Achish, that his life was in the most imminent danger in this place. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:8-15

The hero unheroic. I. A WEAPON WAS GIVEN TO DAVID AT NOB THAT SHOULD HAVE STIRRED ALL THE HEROIC ELEMENT IN HIM AND RESTORED HIS FALTERING FAITH . Had he forgotten that the sword of Goliath was in custody of the priests? Or did he remember it, and was it for a sight and a grasp of this mighty weapon that he longed? Who can tell? The priest reminded him of the day when, with that very sword, he beheaded the prostrate giant in the valley of Elah.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:10

David arose and fled that day. The presence of Doeg at Nob was a most untoward circumstance; and though David could never have anticipated that Saul would visit upon the priests the unwitting assistance they had given him with such barbarous ferocity, yet he must have felt sure that an active pursuit would be at once instituted against himself. He therefore took a most unwise and precipitate step, but one which clearly shows the greatness of the danger to which he was exposed. For he flees... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:10-15

Uncertain light. The facts are— 1 . Arriving at Nob, David quiets the suspicions of Ahimelech by stating that he was on the king's secret business. 2 . On this ground he asks for and obtains hallowed bread to appease his hunger, and the sword of Goliath. 3 . Doeg the Edomite, being detained there that day, is observant of David's proceedings. Hitherto David had held position as an officer in Saul's household or in the army, and therefore, despite Saul's private jealousy, had a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:10-15

Uncertain light. The facts are— 1 . In continued fear of Saul, David flees to the king of Gath. 2 . Being recognised as the conqueror of Goliath, he fears the consequences. 3 . To escape vengeance he feigns madness. 4 . Achish the king thereupon refuses to have him in his service. There is no evidence that David received any Divine direction through the high priest, but the reverse ( 1 Samuel 22:15 ). He appears to have been left to the exercise of his own judgment as to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 21:10

Achish king of Gath - It appears from the title that Psalms 34:0 was composed on this occasion. (See the note there.) Nothing can give a more lively impression of the straits to which David was reduced than the fact of his going to the country of the Philistines. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 21:10

1 Samuel 21:10. David arose and fed to Achish A miserable condition, to be forced to flee to those for protection who were naturally his bitter enemies. For this was the city of Goliath whom he had slain, and whose sword he had now about him. But it must be considered that Saul’s rage was so great, and his power and diligence also in hunting after him, that he despaired of escaping any other way; and a desperate disease requireth a desperate remedy. Perhaps indeed he thought he should not... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 21:1-15

Flight from Saul (21:1-15)The first place to which David fled was Nob, which, since the destruction of Shiloh, had become the city of priests (21:1). About this time a few personal servants joined him, according to an arrangement he had made with them earlier. David obtained food for himself and his men by deceiving Ahimelech the priest concerning the purpose of his journey. Unfortunately for him, and for Ahimelech and the other priests, he was seen by someone sympathetic to Saul (2-9).From Nob... read more

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