Today we are reading 1 Samuel 21. In this chapter we read about David fleeing Saul and going to the Philistine city of Gath. “And David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me? Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”” 1 Samuel 21:10-15 ESV This is a strange move on David’s part! First, he flees to the city of his enemies, the city of Goliath! Second, because he is afraid, he pretends to be insane. Why would David flee to Gath? David had to choose between the lesser of two evils. The insanity defense seemed to work. The Philistines were convinced that David was a harmless madman. When you fear for your safety may God guide you to a place of refuge. Pastor Tim
