1 Samuel 21:11
1 Samuel 21:11 in Multiple Translations
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’?”
And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands?
And the servants of Achish said to him, Is not this David, the king of the land? did they not make songs about him in their dances, saying, Saul has put to death thousands, and David tens of thousands?
But Achish's officials asked the king, “Isn't this David, the king of that country? Didn't they sing about him in their dances, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?”
And the seruants of Achish said vnto him, Is not this Dauid the King of the land? did they not sing vnto him in daunces, saying, Saul hath slayne his thousand, and Dauid his ten thousande?
and the servants of Achish say unto him, 'Is not this David king of the land? is it not of this one they sing in dances, saying, 'Saul smote among his thousands, and David among his myriads?'
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’?”
And the servants of Achish said to him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
And the servants of Achis, when they saw David, said to him: Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to him in their dances, saying: Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
But the officers of King Achish objected to David being there. They said to King Achish, “This man is [RHQ] David, the king of Israel! He is the one [RHQ] whom our enemies, the Israeli people, honored by dancing and singing, ‘Saul has killed thousands of his enemies, but David has killed tens of thousands of them!’”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 21:11
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1 Samuel 21:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 21:11
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 21:11
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 21:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 21:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 21:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 21:11
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 21:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 21:11
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 21:11
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 21:11
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 21:11
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 21:11
Context — David Flees to Gath
11But 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’?”
12Now David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13So 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 29:5 | Is this not the David about whom they sing in their dances: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 18:7–8 | And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 16:1 | Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” |
| 4 | Psalms 56:1–13 | 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. 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? All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life. In spite of such sin, will they escape? In Your anger, O God, cast down the nations. You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book? Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side. In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank offerings to You. For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. |
1 Samuel 21:11 Summary
[This verse shows how David's fame had spread, and people were singing songs about his military victories, comparing him to King Saul, as seen in 1 Samuel 21:11. However, this recognition put David in danger, and he had to think quickly to protect himself, much like the protection God provided to David in Psalm 32:7. David's experience teaches us to trust in God's protection and provision, rather than relying on our own strength or abilities, as seen in Psalm 23:4. By trusting in God, we can find peace and safety, even in difficult situations, as encouraged in Isaiah 26:3.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the servants of Achish recognize David?
The servants recognized David because of his fame and the songs sung about him, as mentioned in 1 Samuel 21:11, which says 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands', a testament to his military victories and the people's admiration for him, similar to the praise given to David in 1 Samuel 18:7.
What was the significance of the song sung about David?
The song highlighted David's military prowess, comparing his achievements to those of King Saul, as seen in 1 Samuel 21:11, and demonstrated the people's perception of David as a mighty warrior, which is also reflected in 1 Samuel 18:6-9.
How did the servants' recognition of David affect his situation?
The servants' recognition of David put him in a precarious position, as it drew attention to his presence in Gath and potentially threatened his safety, leading to his decision to feign madness, as described in 1 Samuel 21:13, in order to protect himself, much like the protection God provided to David in Psalm 32:7.
What can we learn from David's experience in this verse?
David's experience teaches us about the importance of humility and trusting in God's protection, as seen in Psalm 23:4, rather than relying on our own strength or fame, and the need to be mindful of our surroundings and the people we interact with, as advised in Proverbs 22:1.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when my accomplishments are recognized by others, and what does this reveal about my heart?
- In what ways can I trust in God's protection and provision, rather than relying on my own strength or abilities, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6?
- How can I balance humility with confidence in my God-given abilities, as demonstrated by David in 1 Samuel 17:45-47?
- What are some ways I can apply the lessons from David's experience to my own life, such as seeking God's guidance in difficult situations, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 21:11
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 21:11
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 21:11
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 21:11
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 21:11
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 21:11
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 21:11
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 21:11
Sermons on 1 Samuel 21:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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God Is Still Faithful by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that despite David's moment of unfaithfulness when he sought refuge in Gath, God remained faithful to His promises and purpose for David's life. Anointed |
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I Samuel 26:21 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores the life of Saul, emphasizing how despite his physical advantages and opportunities to lead God's people, he ultimately played the fool by failing to submit fu |
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(1986 Prairie Series) 8 - Biggest Thing God Ever Said by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher discusses how God chooses individuals based on their hearts, rather than their outward appearance or qualifications. The preacher uses the example of D |
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The Power of His Resurrection by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of demonstrating the presence of God in every aspect of our lives. He uses the story of David and Goliath to illustrate the p |
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The Greatest Sin in the Church by Stephen Olford | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the greatest sin in the Church and aims to uncover what it is. The sermon begins by referencing 1 Samuel 15:22, where Samuel questions the i |
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God's Preparation for Ministry by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of exalting Jesus Christ and proclaiming His message loudly and clearly, without seeking recognition or fame for ourselves or |
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(Men God Made) Gideon by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher announces that the next week's topic will be the life of David. He mentions that there are about 42 chapters dedicated to David in the Bible, and he pr |






