1 samuel 21:11 - The servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David the king of the land? Didn’t they sing to one another about him in dances, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?’”
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What does "1 samuel 21:11" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 21:11, highlights a critical moment of danger and irony for David. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: David is fleeing from King Saul, who is trying to kill him. He seeks refuge in Gath, a Philistine city. Achish is the Philistine king of Gath.
"The servants of Achish said to him, 'Isn't this David the king of the land?'": Achish's servants recognize David. They know he is a prominent figure in Israel. Calling him "the king of the land" might be an exaggeration (he wasn't yet king, but he was a celebrated leader and a potential successor). It suggests that David's reputation preceded him.
"Didn't they sing to one another about him in dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?'": This is the crux of the danger. The servants remind Achish of the famous (and insulting to Saul) song sung by the Israelite women after David's victories against the Philistines. This song emphasized David's superior military prowess compared to Saul.
Implication:
Danger for David: The servants are essentially saying to Achish, "You're harboring a dangerous enemy! He's the one who has inflicted heavy losses on our people (though indirectly, through victories over the Isrealites when he was fighting for Saul)." This puts David in extreme jeopardy because Achish now has reason to see him as a threat.
Irony: It's ironic because David is seeking refuge among his enemies (the Philistines) to escape his own king (Saul). The very song that made him famous in Israel is now his undoing in enemy territory. It creates a tense and perilous situation for David.
In essence, this verse shows how David's past success and fame are now working against him, revealing the precariousness of his situation as a fugitive. It sets the stage for David's next move, which is to feign madness to escape the consequences of being recognized.
1 samuel 21:11 - The servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David the king of the land? Didn’t they sing to one another about him in dances, saying, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?’”
What does "1 samuel 21:11" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 21:11, highlights a critical moment of danger and irony for David. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: David is fleeing from King Saul, who is trying to kill him. He seeks refuge in Gath, a Philistine city. Achish is the Philistine king of Gath.
"The servants of Achish said to him, 'Isn't this David the king of the land?'": Achish's servants recognize David. They know he is a prominent figure in Israel. Calling him "the king of the land" might be an exaggeration (he wasn't yet king, but he was a celebrated leader and a potential successor). It suggests that David's reputation preceded him.
"Didn't they sing to one another about him in dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?'": This is the crux of the danger. The servants remind Achish of the famous (and insulting to Saul) song sung by the Israelite women after David's victories against the Philistines. This song emphasized David's superior military prowess compared to Saul.
Implication:
Danger for David: The servants are essentially saying to Achish, "You're harboring a dangerous enemy! He's the one who has inflicted heavy losses on our people (though indirectly, through victories over the Isrealites when he was fighting for Saul)." This puts David in extreme jeopardy because Achish now has reason to see him as a threat.
Irony: It's ironic because David is seeking refuge among his enemies (the Philistines) to escape his own king (Saul). The very song that made him famous in Israel is now his undoing in enemy territory. It creates a tense and perilous situation for David.
In essence, this verse shows how David's past success and fame are now working against him, revealing the precariousness of his situation as a fugitive. It sets the stage for David's next move, which is to feign madness to escape the consequences of being recognized.