And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
David ... fled that day for fear of Saul. The king's uncontrolable violence and jealousy of David, together with the number of court parasites ready to give information to Saul of his place of refuge, rendered it impossible for him to remain within the territory of Israel, and he had resolved to leave the country.
And went to Achish the king of Gath - which was one of the five principalities of the Philistines; but its site is unknown. Dr. Robinson ('Biblical Researches,' 2:, 420) and Ritter ('Erdkunde,' 16 ter; 'Theil,' 136-139,) take it to be Deir-Dubb'an. But their opinion has not been adopted. In this place his person must have been known; and to venture into that country, he their greatest enemy, and with the sword of Goliath in his hand, would seem to have been a rash and perilous experiment; but, doubtless, the protection he received implies that he had been directed by the divine oracle. Achish was generous (1 Samuel 27:6). He might wish to weaken the resources of Saul; and it was common in ancient times for great men to be harboured by neighbouring princes, as Themistocles in Persia, and Coriolanus among the Volscians. Besides, it has been suggested that the king of Gath might have been secretly well pleased to be rid of so formidable a rival as Goliath, and therefore have no objection to see and entertain the youthful victor. But although the personal feelings of Achish might have led him to give David a friendly reception, his nobles were very differently disposed toward the Hebrew stranger.