Holman Christian Standard Bible

1 Samuel 21:8-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

8. David said to Ahimelech, “Do you have a spear or sword on hand? I didn’t even bring my sword or my weapons since the king’s mission was urgent.”

9. The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want to take it for yourself, then take it, for there isn’t another one here.”“There’s none like it! ” David said. “Give it to me.”

10. David fled that day from Saul’s presence and went to King Achish of Gath.

11. But Achish’s servants said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Don’t they sing about him during their dances:Saul has killed his thousands,but David his tens of thousands? ”

12. David took this to heart and became very afraid of King Achish of Gath,

13. so he pretended to be insane in their presence. He acted like a madman around them, scribbling on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.

14. “Look! You can see the man is crazy,” Achish said to his servants. “Why did you bring him to me?

15. Do I have such a shortage of crazy people that you brought this one to act crazy around me? Is this one going to come into my house? ”