1 Samuel 21 11

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?

1 Samuel 21:11 nkjv

And the servants of Achish said to him, "Is this not David the king of the land? Did they not sing of him to one another in dances, saying: 'Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands'?"

1 Samuel 21:11 niv

But the servants of Achish said to him, "Isn't this David, the king of the land? Isn't he the one they sing about in their dances: "?'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?"

1 Samuel 21:11 esv

And the servants of Achish said to him, "Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances, 'Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?"

1 Samuel 21:11 nlt

But the officers of Achish were unhappy about his being there. "Isn't this David, the king of the land?" they asked. "Isn't he the one the people honor with dances, singing, 'Saul has killed his thousands,
and David his ten thousands'?"

1 Samuel 21 verses

1 Samuel 21 11 Meaning

1 Samuel 21:11 reveals David's widespread fame and the danger it posed to him. As a fugitive seeking refuge in Gath, a Philistine city, the servants of King Achish recognize David, reminding their king of the popular song that celebrated David's superior military prowess over Saul. This recognition highlights the precariousness of David's situation, as his heroic reputation, earned by defeating many Philistines, now makes him identifiable and vulnerable among his enemies.

1 Samuel 21 11 Context

1 Samuel 21:11 takes place during a deeply desperate period in David's life. Following multiple attempts by King Saul to kill him, David has fled from Gibeah and Ramah (where Saul sought him, even prophesying in the Spirit), going first to Jonathan (Ch. 20) and then seeking provisions and Goliath's sword from the priest Ahimelech in Nob (Ch. 21:1-9). Driven by fear and feeling increasingly unsafe within Israelite territory, David makes the audacious and seemingly illogical decision to flee to Gath, a major Philistine city—the very people he had recently defeated and whose champion, Goliath, he had killed. Verse 11 reveals that his fame, particularly his devastating victories against the Philistines, preceded him, making his attempted anonymity impossible. The recognition by Achish's servants forces David to feign madness to escape, demonstrating the perilous situation brought about by his widespread renown. Historically, this highlights the interconnectedness of ancient societies, where news, especially of great military feats, traveled widely even among enemy nations.

1 Samuel 21 11 Word analysis

• And the servants of Achish said to him: This highlights the human element of observation and report. "Servants" (עַבְדֵי - avdey) were more than mere attendants; they could be advisors or officials, indicating that the recognition came from a knowledgeable source within the Philistine court. Achish, the King of Gath, relies on their information.
• 'Is not this David the king of the land?': The rhetorical question indicates certain recognition and perhaps astonishment.
  • David (דָוִד - David): The very name carries immense weight, synonymous with Israel's military might and a hero's legend.
  • the king of the land (מֶלֶךְ הָאָרֶץ - melech ha'aretz): This phrase is highly significant. David was not yet crowned king, only anointed by Samuel and recognized by some in Israel. The Philistine perception of him as "king of the land" (referring to Israel) signifies his widespread renown and de facto status as the most formidable figure, the probable future leader, or the true power despite Saul's formal reign. It might be an overstatement based on his popularity or an acknowledgement of his imminent ascendancy. It underscores how deeply David's reputation had penetrated, even among foreign adversaries.
• 'Did they not sing of him in dances, saying:': This emphasizes the popular nature of David's fame.
  • sing of him (יַעֲנוּ לוֹ - ya'anu lo): Literally "answered him" or "responded to him" often implies responsive singing or celebrating.
  • in dances (בַּמְּחֹלוֹת - bammaḥōlōth): Dancing was a common form of public celebration, especially for victories. It signifies public acclamation and widespread rejoicing, solidifying the song in communal memory.
• 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?': This is the direct quotation from 1 Sam 18:7, the infamous song.
  • thousands (בַּאֲלָפָיו - ba'ălaphaw): A large, formidable number.
  • ten thousands (בְּרִבְבֹתָיו - bĕribĕbothāw): Ten times greater, emphasizing David's overwhelming success and superiority in military might and victory, particularly against their own people, the Philistines. The specific numbers served as an oral score card of martial success, illustrating his unmatched prowess.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Is not this David the king of the land?": This rhetorical question coupled with the "king of the land" phrase reveals that David's fame was not merely that of a general or hero, but of someone seen as a leading, perhaps even destiny-ordained, figure, even by enemies. This highlights God's sovereignty in raising David's profile.
• "sing of him in dances, saying: Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands": This phrase underlines the profound impact of popular culture (songs, dances) in shaping reputation in ancient societies. The specific comparative language ("thousands" vs. "ten thousands") underscores the significant and widely acknowledged numerical advantage of David's victories, a point of great honor but also grave danger for him among the Philistines. This public recognition was the root cause of Saul's escalating jealousy.

1 Samuel 21 11 Bonus section

The account in 1 Samuel 21:11, coupled with David's subsequent actions of feigning madness, draws parallels with David's own Psalm 34 and 56, whose superscriptions explicitly mention his flight from "Abimelech" (likely a royal title for Achish) in Gath. This demonstrates how biblical narrative connects with personal expressions of faith and experience, illustrating the Psalms as a deeply personal and theological response to life's trials. The Philistines' clear understanding of the song's meaning also reveals their intelligence-gathering abilities and awareness of the political dynamics within Israel, making David's desperation to hide from them even more critical.

1 Samuel 21 11 Commentary

1 Samuel 21:11 stands as a stark testament to the double-edged sword of fame and reputation. David, a man after God's own heart, yet desperately fleeing for his life, sought refuge in the territory of his very enemies, Gath. The irony is palpable: the hero who delivered Israel from the Philistine giant and subsequently inflicted heavy losses upon them, now finds himself betrayed by the very fame he earned in battle. The recognition by Achish's servants, particularly the cutting reference to "the king of the land," and the well-known popular song, immediately renders his anonymity impossible.

This verse reveals God's mysterious ways; even as David navigates his deepest despair and makes humanly flawed choices (like fleeing to Gath), his reputation, previously the cause of Saul's wrath, now threatens his survival. Yet, this divine providence is not one of seamless protection but often operates through precarious situations. The verse sets the stage for David's feigned madness, which appears foolish, yet is his pathway to escape—a vivid illustration of how God works even through humble or desperate means. It foreshadows that while David will indeed become "king of the land," his path to the throne is fraught with immense danger and personal humbling.