7. One of Saul’s officers was there that day. He was Doeg the Edomite, the leader of Saul’s shepherds. He had been kept there before the Lord.
8. David asked Ahimelech, “Do you have a spear or sword here? The king’s business is very important. I had to leave quickly, and I didn’t bring my sword or any other weapon.”
9. The priest answered, “The only sword here is the sword of Goliath the Philistine. It is the sword you took from him when you killed him in the Valley of Elah. That sword is behind the ephod, wrapped in a cloth. You may take it if you want to.” David said, “Goliath’s sword—there’s not another one like it. Give it to me.”
10. That day David ran away from Saul and went to King Achish of Gath.
11. Achish’s officers said, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land of Israel? He is the one the Israelites sing about. They dance and sing this song about him: “Saul has killed thousands of enemies, but David has killed tens of thousands.”
12. David paid close attention to what they said. He was afraid of King Achish of Gath,
13. so he pretended to be crazy in front of Achish and his officers. While David was with them, he acted like a crazy man. He spat on the doors of the gate. He let spit fall down his beard.
14. Achish said to his officers, “Look at the man! He is crazy. Why did you bring him to me?
15. I have enough crazy men. I don’t need you to bring this man to my house to act crazy in front of me. Don’t let this man come into my house again.”