Chapter 2: The Madman of Gath

That same day, David fled from Nob to Gath, one of the five major Philistine cities. This was Goliath's hometown. And David was carrying Goliath's sword. When the servants of Achish, the king of Gath, saw David, they recognized him.

SERVANTS OF ACHISH“Is this not David, the king of the land? Is this not the one they sing about: 'Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands'?”— 1 Samuel 21:11

David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish. So David pretended to lose his mind. He scratched marks on the doors of the city gate and let saliva run down his beard. He was acting like a madman.

They brought him before the king. Achish looked at him with disgust.

ACHISH“Look at the man. He is insane. Why bring him to me? Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow into my house?”— 1 Samuel 21:14–15

David walked out of Gath alive.