Fleeing alone to Nob, David deceives Ahimelech the priest, claiming to be on a secret royal mission; he receives the bread of the Presence and Goliath's sword, but Doeg the Edomite, Saul's chief herdsman, is there as witness. David flees to Achish king of Gath, but when servants recognize him, David feigns madness, scratching on doors and drooling into his beard; Achish dismisses him as a madman, asking why more lunatics are needed.
Read 1 Samuel Chapter 21 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Samuel
Last judge and prophet who anointed both Saul and David as kings
Saul
First king of Israel, whose disobedience led to his rejection by God
David
Shepherd boy anointed as future king, man after God's own heart
Jonathan
Saul's son who became David's closest friend despite the rivalry
Hannah
Samuel's mother who prayed for a son and dedicated him to God
Goliath
Philistine Giant Champion
Places in This Chapter
Valley of Elah
View on MapThe Valley of Elah was the site of the famous battle between David and Goliath. The Philistine and Israelite armies faced each other across this valley. The young shepherd David selected five smooth stones from the brook here and killed the giant Goliath with a single stone.
Gath
View on MapGath was one of the five major Philistine cities and the home of Goliath, the giant warrior who defied Israel. David fled to Gath to escape Saul and pretended to be insane before King Achish. The city was eventually conquered by David. The phrase "Tell it not in Gath" comes from David's lament over Saul and Jonathan.
Position in Book
Samuel's MinistryChapters 1-7
Saul's ReignChapters 8-15
David's RiseChapters 16-31
David anointed, defeats Goliath, friendship with Jonathan, flees from Saul, Saul's death in battle.