1 Samuel 21:11

WEB

The servants of Achish said to him, "Isn't this David the king of the land? Did they not sing one to another about him in dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands?'"

KJV

And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?

Commentary

And the servants of Achish said unto him,.... Who knew who David was, and perceiving that he was respected by Achish: is not this David the king of the land? of the land of the Philistines; so some render the words, "the king of this land" (q); which belo ngs unto him for his conquest of Goliath; for this was what was proposed by him, that whoever was the conqueror should possess the kingdom; and seeing it belongs to him, O Achish, why dost thou admit him to court? thou wilt be driven from the throne, and we shall be his servants, and not thine (r): but rather they mean the king of the land of Israel, having heard that he was anointed king by Samuel, and was to succeed Saul; or rather, they called him so because he led out the armies of Israel as their general, and being victorious was more respected than even Saul was; for they had heard what the women sung in their songs as follows: did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? which are the burden of their song, Sa1 18:7 ; and from whence the servants of Achish concluded, that he was in greater authority or honour, and in greater esteem than Saul their king was. (q) "rex hujus regionis", Vatablus. (r) Vid. Jarchium & Jesaiam in loc.