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All of 1 Samuel

Bible Chapter Summary

1 Samuel 21 Summary

David Flees to Nob and Gath

David comes to Nob and receives hallowed bread and Goliath's sword from the priest Ahimelech, though the servant Doeg witnesses this. Fearing Saul, David flees to Achish king of Gath, but feigns madness to escape when the servants recognize him as the one of whom they sang 'Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.'

Key themes

Flight from persecutionDivine provisionDeception for survivalFear and refuge

Key verses

1 Samuel 21:1

Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?

1 Samuel 21:9

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.

1 Samuel 21:10

And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.

1 Samuel 21:13

And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.

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