Definition: 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?
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 21:11. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic moment in the story of David’s early life. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Situation: David was a young man: The verse tells us we’re talking about a young man named David who was still relatively new to his position as king. He was having trouble with his servants: His servants were upset because David had been spending time with others – specifically, he was dancing and singing with his servants. They were celebrating a victory that David had won. They claimed he was Saul: They insisted that David was Saul, the man who killed many of his own soldiers in battle. What’s Happening – It's a Bit of a Twist: The servants are confidently saying this to David. They're essentially saying, “We know David is Saul! He killed many of your people!” The Key Point - The Revelation: This is where it gets interesting. The verse says: "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?” “Is” – A Question: The word “is” here is a crucial part. It’s a question, like “Does this really happen?” “Did they not sing…” This describes the servants' behavior - they were singing about Saul and David. “…of him in dances…” This tells us they weren’t just talking; they were actively celebrating and reminiscing about a past event – the battle where Saul killed many of his men. The Significance & What it Means: David was not Saul: The verse is telling us that David wasn't actually Saul. He wasn't the man who had killed many of Saul’s soldiers. It highlights David's character: It shows that even in his young age, David was already demonstrating a remarkable ability to remember and recount past events – a key part of building his reputation as a leader. In short, this verse is about a moment of pride for the servants and hints at a future conflict and David’s eventual rise to power. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Give you more context on the story of David?