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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />David heard these comments and was very afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />David took these words to heart and greatly feared Achish king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />David took these words to heart and greatly feared Achish king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And David took these words to heart, and greatly feared Achish king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And David took these words to heart and greatly feared Achish king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />David took these words to heart and was greatly afraid of Achish king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />David took this to heart and became very afraid of King Achish of Gath,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />David took this to heart and became very afraid of King Achish of Gath, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />David thought about what they were saying, and it made him afraid of Achish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When David realized what they had said, he was terrified of King Achish of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Their words made a deep impression on David, and he became very much afraid of King Achish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />David took these words seriously, and he was very frightened of King Achish of Gath. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />David thought about what they said and was very afraid of King Achish of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />David laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And David laid up these words in his heart, and was greatly afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />David laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And David lays these words in his heart, and is exceedingly afraid of the face of Achish king of Gath,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And David layeth these words in his heart, and is exceedingly afraid of the face of Achish king of Gath,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br /><RF q=*><font color=#808080><i>The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for </i></font><i><font color=#0000FF> <a href=#>1 Sam 21:13</a></i></font><Rf> And David will set these words in his heart, and he will be afraid greatly of the face of Achish, king of Gath.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But David laid up these words in his heart, and was exceedingly afraid at the face of Achis the king of Geth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then David took these words to his heart, and he became exceedingly afraid before the face of Achish, the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />David took note of these remarks and became very much afraid of Achish, king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of King Achish of Gath.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And David laid up these words in his heart, and was exceedingly afraid of Achish, the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And his Servants said to Akish: “This is the King of the land of Israel! The daughters of Israel were magnifying this man and saying, ‘Shaul killed thousands, and David, ten thousands!’”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And David laid up the words in his heart, and was greatly afraid of Anchus king of Geth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/21-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=6405" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/21.htm">David Flees to Gath</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>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’?” <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">Now David</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: way·yā·śem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">these</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·də·ḇā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">words</a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: bil·ḇā·ḇōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">to heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc.">and was very much</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: way·yi·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">afraid</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê (Prep-m:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">of</a> <a href="/hebrew/397.htm" title="397: ’ā·ḵîš (N-proper-ms) -- King of Gath. Of uncertain derivation; Akish, a Philistine king.">Achish</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ- (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/1661.htm" title="1661: gaṯ (N-proper-fs) -- Wine press, a Philistine city. The same as gath; Gath, a Philistine city.">of Gath.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>So he changed his behavior before them and feigned madness in their hands; he scratched on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/56-3.htm">Psalm 56:3-4</a></span><br />When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. / In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-4.htm">Psalm 34:4</a></span><br />I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/56-11.htm">Psalm 56:11</a></span><br />in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-6.htm">Psalm 34:6</a></span><br />This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/56-13.htm">Psalm 56:13</a></span><br />For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-17.htm">Psalm 34:17</a></span><br />The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/56-1.htm">Psalm 56:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack. / My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-19.htm">Psalm 34:19</a></span><br />Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/56-8.htm">Psalm 56:8</a></span><br />You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-22.htm">Psalm 34:22</a></span><br />The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-28.htm">Matthew 10:28</a></span><br />Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6-7</a></span><br />Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/1-7.htm">2 Timothy 1:7</a></span><br />For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-6.htm">Hebrews 13:6</a></span><br />So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-14.htm">1 Peter 3:14</a></span><br />But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.</p><p class="hdg">laid up</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-11.htm">Psalm 119:11</a></b></br> Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/2-19.htm">Luke 2:19,51</a></b></br> But Mary kept all these things, and pondered <i>them</i> in her heart… </p><p class="hdg">sore</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/21-10.htm">1 Samuel 21:10</a></b></br> And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-11.htm">Genesis 12:11-13</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou <i>art</i> a fair woman to look upon: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Genesis 26:7</a></b></br> And the men of the place asked <i>him</i> of his wife; and he said, She <i>is</i> my sister: for he feared to say, <i>She is</i> my wife; lest, <i>said he</i>, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she <i>was</i> fair to look upon.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/21-11.htm">Achish</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-11.htm">A'chish</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-11.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-8.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-32.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-13.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-24.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-7.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/21-14.htm">Achish</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-14.htm">A'chish</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-23.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-1.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-21.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-5.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-8.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-15.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-7.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">David at Nob obtains Ahimelech's hallowed bread</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-7.htm">Doeg is present</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-8.htm">David takes Goliath's sword</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/21-10.htm">David at Gath feigns himself insane</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now David took these words to heart</b><br>David's reaction indicates a deep internalization of the situation he faced. The words he took to heart were those of the servants of Achish, who recognized him as the king of Israel. This moment reflects David's acute awareness of the danger he was in, as he was in enemy territory. The phrase "took these words to heart" suggests a moment of reflection and realization, highlighting David's vulnerability and humanity. This introspection is a recurring theme in David's life, as seen in the Psalms, where he often contemplates his circumstances and God's role in them.<p><b>and was very much afraid</b><br>David's fear is significant, as it shows that even a man after God's own heart experienced fear. This fear was not just a passing emotion but a profound sense of dread, indicating the seriousness of his predicament. The Bible often records the fears of its heroes to show their reliance on God. David's fear contrasts with his previous courage against Goliath, illustrating that even the faithful can experience moments of weakness. This fear would later lead him to feign madness, a tactic to escape danger, showing his resourcefulness and reliance on God for deliverance.<p><b>of Achish the king of Gath</b><br>Achish was the king of Gath, one of the five Philistine city-states. Gath was known for its giants, including Goliath, whom David had previously defeated. David's presence in Gath is ironic and dangerous, as he was now among the people he had once fought against. Achish's recognition of David as a threat underscores the tension and danger of the situation. Historically, Gath was a significant Philistine city, and its king would have been a powerful figure. David's fear of Achish highlights the political and military threat he faced, as well as the precariousness of his position as a fugitive from Saul.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The anointed future king of Israel, currently fleeing from King Saul. Known for his faith in God, yet here he experiences fear.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/achish.htm">Achish</a></b><br>The king of Gath, a Philistine city. David seeks refuge with him, but the servants of Achish recognize David as a significant threat.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gath.htm">Gath</a></b><br>A Philistine city, known for being the home of Goliath, whom David had previously defeated. This adds tension to David's presence there.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/fear.htm">Fear</a></b><br>David's emotional response upon realizing the potential danger he faces in Gath.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/servants_of_achish.htm">Servants of Achish</a></b><br>They recognize David and remind Achish of David's reputation, which contributes to David's fear.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_fear.htm">The Reality of Fear</a></b><br>Even the most faithful can experience fear. David, a man after God's own heart, felt fear, reminding us that fear is a common human experience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god_amidst_fear.htm">Trust in God Amidst Fear</a></b><br>David's fear led him to write <a href="/bsb/psalms/56.htm">Psalm 56</a>, where he expresses trust in God. This teaches us to turn to God in prayer and trust when we are afraid.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_fear.htm">The Consequences of Fear</a></b><br>Fear can lead to irrational decisions. David's fear led him to act insane to protect himself. We must be cautious of how fear influences our actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_our_trials.htm">God's Sovereignty in Our Trials</a></b><br>Despite David's fear and the precarious situation, God was in control. This reassures us that God is sovereign over our circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_through_faith.htm">Courage Through Faith</a></b><br>True courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to trust God despite it. We are called to live by faith, not by sight.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_achish_accept_david_in_1_sam_29.htm">How can David's earlier triumphs over the Philistines, such as in 1 Samuel 17, be reconciled with Achish's acceptance of him in 1 Samuel 29?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_linking_psalm_56_to_gath.htm">Is there any archaeological or historical evidence linking David’s words in Psalm 56 specifically to his time in Gath? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_wasn't_david_punished_for_lying.htm">Why did God not condemn or punish David for lying to Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1-2)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_elhanan_kill_goliath,_not_david.htm">In 2 Samuel 21:19, how could Elhanan have killed Goliath when David is credited with that feat in 1 Samuel 17?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">And David laid up these words.</span>--Now, for the first time, David saw how widely travelled was a renown of which he in his humbleness of heart had thought so little, and at once a deadly fear took possession of him. The life he held so cheaply when in battle with the enemies of his country now, strange to say, in his deep degradation and poverty, became of real value to him, and he adopted the piteous and humiliating device of feigning madness, hoping thus to change the wondering admiration of the servants of Achish into pitying scorn. What David hoped took place, and he was driven out of Gath with ignominy; but there is no reason for supposing that had he maintained a quiet dignity of behaviour any evil would have happened to him. The Philistines, for those wild times, seem to have been a cultured people, and by no means devoid of generous instincts. Not one word, strangely enough, is reported to have been spoken about the great injury he had done to the Philistine nation when he slew Goliath. It has been suggested with considerable ingenuity that the great name of the dead champion, the hero of so many battle-fields, was never brought forward here, perhaps out of a natural indisposition to recall a grievous calamity, but more likely out of regard for Goliath's family and friends. Singularly little is told us, in fact, about this renowned hero, whom tradition hints at as the great warrior in the decisive battle when the Ark was captured and the sons of Eli were slain. The Talmud has a curious comment on this strange silence--"Not half the praises of Goliath are related in Scripture; hence it follows that it is wrong to tell the praises of the wicked."--Treatise <span class= "ital">Soteh, </span>fol. 42, Colossians 2.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/21-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now David</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִ֛ד</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֧שֶׂם</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·śem)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">words</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדְּבָרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(had·də·ḇā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">these</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֵ֖לֶּה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to heart</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְבָב֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bil·ḇā·ḇōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> </span><span class="str2">Inner man, mind, will, heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and was very much</span><br /><span class="heb">מְאֹ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(mə·’ōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3966.htm">Strong's 3966: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily</span><br /><br /><span class="word">afraid</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּרָ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yi·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of</span><br /><span class="heb">מִפְּנֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(mip·pə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Achish</span><br /><span class="heb">אָכִ֥ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḵîš)</span><br /><span class="parse">0<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_397.htm">Strong's 397: </a> </span><span class="str2">Achish -- king of Gath</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶֽלֶךְ־</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Gath.</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(gaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1661.htm">Strong's 1661: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gath -- 'wine press', a Philistine city</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/21-12.htm">1 Samuel 21:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/21-12.htm">1 Samuel 21:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/21-12.htm">1 Samuel 21:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/21-12.htm">1 Samuel 21:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/21-12.htm">1 Samuel 21:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/21-12.htm">1 Samuel 21:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/21-12.htm">1 Samuel 21:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/21-12.htm">1 Samuel 21:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/21-12.htm">1 Samuel 21:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/21-12.htm">1 Samuel 21:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/21-12.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 21:12 David laid up these words in his (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/21-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 21:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 21:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/21-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 21:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 21:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>