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1 Samuel 27:1
And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul:there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

1 Kings 19:3
And when he sawthat, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, whichbelongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

Jeremiah 26:21
And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;

Achish.

1 Samuel 27:2
And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men thatwere with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

Psalm 34:1
A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praiseshall continuallybe in my mouth.

1 Samuel 7:14
And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

1 Samuel 17:52
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

2 Chronicles 11:8
And Gath, and Mareshah, and Ziph,

David fled from Saul
David's flight from Saul is a significant turning point in his life. Saul's jealousy and fear of David's rising popularity and God's favor led to multiple attempts on David's life. This phrase underscores the intense persecution David faced, which is a common experience for many biblical figures who are chosen by God. It also foreshadows the trials and tribulations that David would endure before becoming king.

and went to Achish king of Gath
Gath was one of the five major Philistine cities, and Achish was its king. This move is surprising because Gath was the hometown of Goliath, whom David had slain. David's decision to seek refuge in enemy territory reflects his desperation and the complexity of his situation. Historically, this shows the political dynamics of the time, where allegiances could be fluid. Theologically, it can be seen as a test of faith and reliance on God's protection. This event also prefigures Christ's own experiences of rejection and seeking refuge, drawing a parallel between David's life and the life of Jesus.

• The phrase points us to a specific, literal day immediately following David’s visit to the priest Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1-9).

• On that very day David:

– Ate the consecrated bread (cf.Matthew 12:3-4, where Jesus affirms the historicity of the event).

– Received Goliath’s sword, reminding us of God’s earlier victory for Israel (1 Samuel 17:50-51).

• The urgency of “that day” signals no delay; David had to act at once, echoing later statements such as “Saul searched for him every day” (1 Samuel 23:14).

• “Fled” is plain narrative fact. Saul’s jealousy had already led to multiple murder attempts (1 Samuel 18:11; 19:10; 20:33).

• David’s flight does not contradict his faith; Scripture repeatedly portrays godly people taking wise steps to preserve life (cf.Matthew 10:23;Acts 9:25).

• God’s anointed king is now a fugitive, prefiguring Christ, who although King, “had no place to lay His head” (Luke 9:58).

• The flight fulfills Samuel’s earlier warning that Israel’s demand for a human king would bring oppression (1 Samuel 8:11-18).

• Achish (also called Abimelech in Psalm titles) was a Philistine ruler (see1 Samuel 27:2;1 Kings 2:39-40).

• Crossing into Philistine territory looks risky, yet God often shields His servants in unlikely places (cf. Elijah in Sidon,1 Kings 17:9).

• David’s choice highlights:

– The depth of Saul’s hostility—enemy land seemed safer than Israel.

– David’s resourcefulness: he carried Goliath’s sword, possibly to gain Achish’s respect.

– God’s providence: this contact later opens a door for David to find long-term refuge in Ziklag (1 Samuel 27:5-6).

• Gath was Goliath’s hometown (1 Samuel 17:4). David now enters the stronghold of the very giant he slew—a striking reversal that tests trust in the Lord.

• The title “king” underscores Achish’s full authority; David is placing himself under foreign rule, foreshadowing Israel’s later exiles (2 Kings 17:6; 24:14).

•Psalm 56 andPsalm 34, both inscribed “when the Philistines seized him in Gath,” record David’s heart during this season—he admits fear yet declares, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid” (Psalm 56:3-4).

• The scene demonstrates God’s sovereignty over all nations (Psalm 22:28). Even a Philistine throne is no barrier to His plan.

1 Samuel 21:10 presents a literal snapshot of David’s life on the run: on the very day he secured bread and Goliath’s sword, he urgently escaped Saul’s murderous pursuit and sought asylum with Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. The verse highlights Saul’s escalating danger, David’s practical yet faith-filled response, and God’s hidden hand guiding His anointed—even into enemy territory—to preserve the royal line and advance the bigger redemptive story that culminates in Christ.

Achish the king of Gath.--The title "king" is somewhat loosely used in this scene among the Philistines. Achish was one of the Philistine lords, perhaps the hereditary lord of Gath. Achish is called Abimelech in the title of Psalms 34, that apparently being the title, the "nomen dignitatis," of the hereditary (or elected) chief among the Philistines, like Agag among the Amalekites. It is quite possible that this Achish, although called king of Gath, was the supreme chief or king of the Philistine nation. Gath was the nearest Philistine city to the sanctuary of Nob where David then was.