1. But David thought to himself, “Saul will catch me someday. The best thing I can do is escape to the land of the Philistines. Then he will give up looking for me in Israel. That way I can get away from him.”
2. So David and his 600 men left Israel. They went to Achish son of Maoch. Achish was king of Gath.
3. David, his men and their families made their home in Gath with Achish. David had his two wives with him. Their names were Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel. Abigail was the widow of Nabal.
4. Now Saul was told that David had run away to Gath. So he stopped looking for him.
5. Then David said to Achish, “If you are pleased with me, give me a place in one of the country towns. I can live there. I don’t need to live in the royal city with you.”