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Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Luke 2:19,51
But Mary kept all these things, and ponderedthem in her heart…

sore

1 Samuel 21:10
And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.

Genesis 12:11-13
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 thouart a fair woman to look upon: …

Genesis 26:7
And the men of the place askedhim of his wife; and he said, Sheis my sister: for he feared to say,She is my wife; lest,said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because shewas fair to look upon.

and was very much afraid
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.

of Achish the king of Gath
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.

• The “words” were the alarmed whispers of Achish’s servants: “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? … ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’” (1 Samuel 21:11).

• David “took” them—he carefully weighed the danger, just as Mary later “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

• Scripture commends this kind of sober reflection (Proverbs 4:20-21;Psalm 119:11). David realizes he is no anonymous fugitive; his past victories over Philistines are well known (1 Samuel 17:50-54).

• Fear here is intense, not casual. The man who once ran toward Goliath (1 Samuel 17:48) now feels genuine dread.

• Fear itself is not sin; what we do with it matters. David channels it into desperate dependence on God—see the superscriptions ofPsalm 34 andPsalm 56, both composed “when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech [Achish] and he drove him away.” In those psalms he confesses, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You” (Psalm 56:3-4).

• His fear also spurs practical action. Immediately he crafts a plan, feigning madness (1 Samuel 21:13). Scripture often marries faith and prudent strategy (Nehemiah 4:9).

• Achish rules the very city that produced Goliath (1 Samuel 17:4). David now carries Goliath’s own sword (1 Samuel 21:9), a provocative symbol in enemy territory.

• As king, Achish has authority to imprison or execute spies. David’s presence could be seen as a direct threat, especially with songs of his Philistine-slaying exploits still in public memory.

• Later, Achish will welcome David as a vassal (1 Samuel 27:2-6), showing that God can turn even feared enemies into unlikely protectors.

David’s quick, inward response to hostile words reveals a heart alive to danger and to God. He weighs the threat, feels honest fear, and recognizes the earthly power of Achish. Yet his subsequent psalms show that fear drives him not to despair but to deeper trust. The verse reminds believers that taking circumstances seriously, acknowledging fear, and seeking God’s help are not contradictory but complementary steps of faith.

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