1 Samuel 21:10
And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֣קָם
arose
H6965
וַיָּ֣קָם
arose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 12
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
בַּיּוֹם
that day
H3117
בַּיּוֹם
that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 12
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֖וּא
H1931
הַה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
5 of 12
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מִפְּנֵ֣י
for fear
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֣י
for fear
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Historical Context
Gath was one of five major Philistine cities, located in the Shephelah (lowlands) west of Judah. As Goliath's city, it held particular animosity toward David. The Philistine city-states operated semi-independently under their own kings (seranim).
Questions for Reflection
- When has fear driven you to make decisions you later recognized as unwise?
- How do you distinguish between strategic retreat and fear-driven flight?
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Analysis & Commentary
And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
David's flight to Gath represents desperate, fear-driven decision-making. The Hebrew 'mipne' (from the face of) emphasizes he fled from Saul's threatening presence. Gath was Goliath's hometown—arguably the most dangerous place for David to seek refuge. Yet in his panic, David may have reasoned that enemy territory was safer than Saul's domain. This decision reveals how fear can drive even wise leaders to foolish choices. The future king who would trust God through many trials here succumbed to panic, illustrating the ongoing struggle between faith and fear that marks every believer's journey.